Brian Friel’s ‘Translations’ opens at The Abbey Theatre from Wednesday June 29th, with previews from today and will run for seven weeks. Tickets start at an very affordable 13.
Here’s the lowdown:
Directed by Conall Morrisson, it features a cast that includes Denis Conway in the role of Hugh, and Barry Ward playing Owen, the rest of this stellar cast includes Janice Byrne, Tim Delap, Michael James Ford, Donal OKelly, Aoife McMahon, Janet Moran, Aaron Monaghan and Rory Nolan.
Its late August 1833. At a hedge school in the small Irish speaking village of Baile Beag, the pupils gather for their evening class. They worry about potato blight, gossip about a new babys father and make fun of the Royal Engineers from England recently arrived to survey the area.
However, as good-will and relationships with the English grow, hostility does too with devastating consequences.
More than thirty years since it was first produced, Translations is now regarded as a modern masterpiece. Subtle and resonant, its a political drama, a historical tale, a funny and clever play about language and a tender love story.
Costume design is by Joan OClery, set design is by Naomi Wilkinson, lighting design is by Ben Ormerod and composer and sound designer for the production is Conor Linehan.
Brian Friel has a long standing relationship with the Abbey Theatre and his work first appeared on the Abbey stage in 1962 with The Enemy Within. His plays form an integral part of the Abbey repertoire and have delighted audiences for almost fifty years. In 2009, to celebrate this long-standing creative partnership the Abbey presented public readings of Friels three favourite plays on the Peacock stage and celebrated his 80th birthday with a gala event on the Abbey stage.
The Abbey Theatre acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council.
Booking and information on www.abbeytheatre.ie and (01) 87 87 222.
Monday to Saturday evening, 7.30pm. Saturday matinee 2pm. Tickets 13 – 40.