Report by Brad Balfour
What a stupendous month for Irish theater. First, “Philadelphia, Here I Come!” opened at the Irish Repertory Theatre under the direction of Ciarán O’Reilly. This bittersweet Brian Friel classic runs until May 5th as part of the Rep’s Friel Project.
An Irish dramatist, short story writer and founder of the Field Day Theatre Company, Friel has been considered one of the greatest living English-language dramatists. With Field Day, Friel collaborated with Seamus Heaney, 1995’s Nobel Prize in Literature winner. Heaney and Friel first became friends after Friel sent the young poet a letter following publication of his book “Death of a Naturalist.” Friel was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the British Royal Society of Literature and the Irish Academy of Letters. He was appointed to Seanad Éireann in 1987 and served until 1989.
Friel has been described as “the universally accented voice of Ireland.” He had 24 plays published during a career of more than a half-century and was elected to the honorary position of Saoi of Aosdána. His plays were commonly produced on Broadway as well as in Ireland and the UK. His plays have been compared favorably to those of contemporaries such as Samuel Beckett, Arthur Miller, Harold Pinter and Tennessee Williams.
In later years, “Dancing at Lughnasa” reinvigorated Friel’s oeuvre, bringing him Tony Awards (including Best Play), the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play. It was also adapted into a film, starring Meryl Streep, directed by Pat O’Connor, script by Frank McGuinness.
Besides this Friel series, The Origin Theater Company’s 1st Irish Theater Festival has been on-going this month. Among its productions there have been several highlights.
On Saturday, March 30th, a reading of Nancy & Michael by David Gilna was staged at the stunning American Irish Historical Society, directed by Andy O’Reilly. Nancy and Michael is a riveting journey through the tumultuous love story of Michael O’Rahilly, the co-founder of the Irish volunteers, and Nancy Brown, the Vice- President of Cumann na mBan. Nancy and Michael features Jo Armeniox, (Red Dead Redemption 2, Pokemon, Boardwalk Empire) and Origin Theatre’s own artistic director Mick Mellamphy.
Sean Gormley appears in the world premiere of the English adaptation of Patrick Süskind’s acclaimed play “The Double Bass,” directed by Labhaoise Magee. In “The Double Bass,” a double bassist confronts his shortcomings as he wrestles with the instrument that dominates his life and handicaps his efforts to attract the woman of his dreams. Running Apr 12 – 28 at the cell, 338 West 23rd Street.
Alongside this fest, “Agreement,” a new play by Owen Mccafferty debuts at the Irish Arts Center on Thursday April 25th at 7pm. It conveys the four-day process of peace negotiations in Northern Ireland that resulted in the Good Friday Agreement.
Friel’s Life Story in a Nutshell
Often referred to as the ‘Irish Chekhov’ for plays exploring social and political life in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, Brian Friel examined the tangled relationships between nationality, history, and narrative, with large, inter-generational casts of characters. Over 60 years of work, the dramatist was influenced by his upbringing in Ireland’s rural north, with more than a dozen of his works were set in the fictional Donegal town of Ballybeg (translating to “small town”).
Born to Sean Friel, a primary-school principal, and Mary McLoone, a postmistress, in Killyclogher near Omagh, County Tyrone, Friel spent half of his childhood in his father’s home city of Derry before attending St. Patrick’s College in Maynooth as a seminarian. Though never ordained, he graduated with a BA in 1948. In ’54, Friel married Anne Morrison, with whom he raised four daughters and a son. Alongside his work as a teacher, his writing career began with short fiction, publishing his first short story in an Irish literary magazine before having work published in The New Yorker. By 1960, he was able to leave his teaching post to work as a writer full time.
In 1963, Tyrone Guthrie invited Friel to observe rehearsals in the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, an experience which Friel described as “enabling.” Shortly after, he wrote his first major success, “Philadelphia, Here I Come!,” which takes place the evening before a young man emigrates to the United States from Ballybeg. Initially produced at the Gaiety Theatre as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival, the play came to Broadway in 1966, where it received six Tony Award nominations including Best Play and Best Director.
Friel’s momentum as a playwright coincided with The Troubles in Northern Ireland, a period of violent sectarian conflict between nationalists, who wanted the North to be part of the Republic of Ireland, and unionists, who wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom. In 1972, Friel was a member of the crowd present at the Bloody Sunday massacre in Derry as he marched in protest of internment without trial. British soldiers opened fire on protesters, killing at least thirteen civilians and injuring several more. The incident — and its cover-up — inspired “The Freedom of the City,” Friel’s 1973 play; that led him to meet actor Stephen Rea.
In 1980, Friel and Rea founded Field Day Theatre Company, and its inaugural production of Friel’s new play “Translations” was performed in Derry’s Guildhall. Field Day began publishing pamphlets — and, later, anthologies — on a wide variety of historical, cultural, and academic subjects. At this point, Friel began adapting Anton Chekhov’s works — including “Three Sisters,” “Uncle Vanya” and “The Bear” — a practice that continued for more than two decades.
Perhaps Friel’s best-known work, “Dancing at Lughnasa,” premiered at the Abbey Theatre in 1990, and shortly thereafter transferred to the National Theatre in London, winning the Olivier Award for Play of the Year. Running for more than a year on Broadway, it received three Tony Awards including Best Play. The film version was released in 1998 starring Meryl Streep and directed by Pat O’Connor.
In 2006, Friel was elected to the position of Saoi of the Aosdána, the highest honor bestowed by the Irish association of artists, and, in 2009, Queen’s University, Belfast inaugurated the Brian Friel Theatre and Centre for Theatre Research. Friel died on October 2, 2015.
Brian Friel’s Timeline
1929
Brian Friel is born on January 9th in Killyclogher, County Tyrone, to Sean Friel, a primary-school principal, and Mary McLoone, a postmistress.
1939
Friel’s family move to Derry, his father’s home city.
1948
Friel graduates from St. Patrick’s College in Maynooth with a BA.
1952
Friel Publishes his first short story, The Child, in the Irish literary magazine The Bell.
1954
Friel marries Anne Morrison. They will go on to have four daughters and a son.
1958-1959
His first radio play, A Sort of Freedom, is produced by BBC Radio Northern Ireland, followed shortly by his second, To This Hard House. The New Yorker magazine publishes his story “The Skelper.”
1960
His first stage play, “The Francophile,” later retitled “A Doubtful Paradise,” is premiered by the Group Theatre in Belfast. The same year, with a contract from The New Yorker, he leaves teaching to write full time.
1962
His play The Enemy Within premieres in the Abbey Theatre. His first short-story collection, “A Saucer of Larks,” is published. He begins writing a weekly column in the Irish Press.
1963
The Blind Mice premieres in Dublin at the Eblana Theatre. At the invitation of Tyrone Guthrie, Friel spends time as “an observer” at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.
1964
“Philadelphia, Here I Come!” premieres at the Gaiety during Dublin Theatre Festival, produced by the Gate Theatre.
1966
Philadelphia, Here I Come! transfers to the Helen Hayes Theater on Broadway and runs for nine months. At the same theater, “The Loves of Cass McGuire” premieres – and closes after 20 performances. Friel publishes a second short-story collection, “The Gold in the Sea.”
1967
“The Loves of Cass McGuire” premieres at the Abbey Theatre, “Philadelphia, Here I Come!” opens in London and “Lovers” is staged at the Gate Theatre.
1969
“The Mundy Scheme” premieres at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin; its New York run at the Royale Theatre ends after two performances.
1971
The Gentle Island premieres at the Olympia Theatre.
1972
Friel marches with members of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association in Derry to protest against internment without trial. During the march, British soldiers open fire in the Bogside area, killing at least 13 civilians and injuring others, in an event which would become known as Bloody Sunday.
1973
:The Freedom of the City” opens at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, informed by Bloody Sunday and the exoneration of British authorities by the Widgery tribunal. The play also premieres at the Royal Court in London, where Friel first meets actor Stephen Rea.
1975-1979
“Volunteers” (1975), “Living Quarters” (1977) and “Aristocrats” (1979) open at the Abbey Theatre.
1980
Friel and Stephen Rea found Field Day Theatre Company, with “Translations” as the company’s first production in the Guildhall in Derry. “Faith Healer” has its Irish premiere at the Abbey Theatre, following a 20-day run on Broadway the previous year.
1981
“Faith Healer” premieres at the Royal Court; “Translations” opens in New York and London. Friel’s translation of Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” premieres in Derry for Field Day followed by a tour.
1982
Premiere of “The Communication Cord” in Derry before touring. Friel is elected a member of Aosdána, an Irish association of established artists.
1987
Friel is appointed to the Irish Senate, Seanad Éireann, where he serves until 1989. His adaptation of Turgenev’s “Fathers and Sons” premieres in London at the National Theatre.
1988
“Making History” premieres at the Guildhall in Derry as Friel’s final play for the company.
1990
“Dancing at Lughnasa” premieres at the Abbey Theatre then transfers to the National Theatre in London, winning the Olivier Award for Play of the Year. Irish Repertory Theatre produces a revival of “Philadelphia, Here I Come!.”
1991
“Dancing at Lughnasa” runs for more than a year at the Plymouth Theatre on Broadway, and wins three Tony Awards, including the award for Best Play. The American premiere of “Making History” takes place at the Irish Repertory Theatre.
1992
Friel’s version of Charles Macklin’s “The London Vertigo” premieres at Andrew’s Lane Theatre in a production by the Gate. His version of Turgenev’s “A Month in the Country” premieres at the Gate.
1993-1997
Wonderful Tennessee (1993) premieres at the Abbey; its New York run at the Plymouth Theatre ends after nine shows. Friel resigns from Field Day in 1994 and his play “Molly Sweeney” premieres at the Gate Theater before transferring to the Almeida in London. “Give Me Your Answer, Do!” (1997) premieres at the Abbey Theatre.
1998
The film adaptation of “Dancing at Lughnasa,” with a screenplay by Frank McGuinness, is released. Friel’s version of “Uncle Vanya” premieres at the Gate Theatre.
1999
The Friel Festival takes place in Dublin, coinciding with Friel’s 70th birthday. Dancing at Lughnasa, The Freedom of the City, Living Quarters, and Making History are performed at the Abbey; Aristocrats is performed at the Gate; an RSC production of A Month in the Country is staged.
2001-2005
The National Library of Ireland archives Friel’s body of work. “The Yalta Game” (2001) premieres at the Gate. “Two Plays After “(2002), “Performances” (2003) and “The Home Place” (2005) premiere at the Gate Theatre. Irish Repertory Theatre presents a revival of “Philadelphia, Here I Come!.”
2006
Elected to the position of Saoi, Aosdána’s highest honor.
2007
Friel’s version of Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler” opens at the Gate Theatre.
2009
“Aristocrats” is produced at the Irish Repertory Theatre.
2011
Friel is named Donegal Person of the Year for 2010. Irish Repertory Theatre presents “Dancing at Lughnasa” and “Molly Sweeney;” the latter moves to Long Wharf Theatre, New Haven.
2012
Irish Repertory Theatre produces “The Freedom of the City.”
2015
Friel dies on October 2nd.
2016
“Afterplay” has its New York premiere at the Irish Repertory Theatre.
2017
Irish Repertory Theatre presents the New York premiere of “The Home Place.”
2018
“Two by Friel” is staged at the Irish Repertory Theatre, featuring “Lovers: Winners”and “The Yalta Game.”