Translations is coming--one great Friel play!

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 7/31/06 at 7:07pm

Happy to hear MTC has ditched the Odets in favor of Brian Friel's exciting play Translations.

I have only read this play and not yet seen it in performance but it is a powerful Irish play about the Irish-English conflict. The set-up is that as part of British authority, a Brit is in Ireland who is Anglicizing the names on the Irish map (a way of disintegrating Irish identity by taking away the language) and starts dating an Irish girl whom a young, lamed Irish man claims as his own.

The only thing I'm wary of is the director Garry Hynes, because I did not like anything about The Beauty Queen of Leenane in contrast to loving The Lieutenant of Inishmore (both by Martin McDonagh), so I'm wishing Wilson Milam were directing it instead, but I'm still hopeful...

Translations Updated On: 7/31/06 at 07:07 PM

[Producer2]

Posted: 7/31/06 at 7:38pm

why are they bringing this play back if it only played very few performances in the 90's?

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 7/31/06 at 7:45pm

I love Translations. I played Manus in College and it holds a very dear place in my heart. Great to see it's coming back.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 7/31/06 at 7:52pm

Producer2, when I read the play and learned it had already been on Broadway and not been a long-running hit I was very surprised.

I can tell you only this, having not seen that production (though I know Rob Campbell had the lead and he is a good actor)--it was NOT the play's fault. It is a very moving, dramatic piece, just brilliant. I hope it sees a realization worthy of it.

With a non-profit like MTC (Lincoln Center or Roundabout), they don't have the production pressure of the commercial theatre. This play is a classic that will still play a hundred years from now.

[Pippin]

Posted: 7/31/06 at 7:54pm

LOVE this play. I studied it in College and it is such a vibrant exploration of the Irish and English culture. I would love to see it.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 7/31/06 at 7:59pm

Rob Campbell played Manus on Broadway.

Sure you're not a bare-naked guy, bare_nakedlady?
Translations - Broadway

[Pippin]

Posted: 9/26/06 at 12:50pm

SPOILER!!!! DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T READ OR SEEN THE PLAY AND ARE PLANNING TO!!!!!



does anyone remember what actually happened to LT. Yolland? I know He got murdered, but the play is not clear as to whether it was the Donnelly twins or Manus. can anyone help me out?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 9/26/06 at 1:15pm

In response to the "short run" thing....didn't Faith Healer play 3 shows in it's original run?

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 9/26/06 at 1:19pm

SPOILER

Pippin - Manus' monolugue in act three states "I had a stone in my hand... I was gonna fell him. The lame scholar turned violent" He never admits guilt. But he does leave.

I believe it was the Donnelly's. But Friel never says.

Updated On: 9/26/06 at 01:19 PM

[Pippin]

Posted: 9/26/06 at 1:23pm

thanks, barenaked!!