To help discern how these choices were made in each show and why they were different, I would encourage different acting styles of the spirits and their affecting counterparts so profoundly. For Cathleen Ni Houlihan, I would first like realism to play a role in how it is staged. However, once the spirit approaches the family, its presence puts Michael into a trance-like state. He also speaks prophetically and approaches communication with song, reminding me of Brechtian theatre, especially Brecht's Mother Courage. While I wouldn't want him to break the fourth wall, his acting style should be high enough to put Michael in a trance where he forgets about his wedding day. This is especially important as she is later seen by the boy, Patrick, as a young girl who "had the walk of a queen" (Yeats and Lady Gregory 11), confirming that she is not just a poor woman, but the spirit of