Translations, Brian Friel, is a play about communication that starts with a lovely mute woman just learning to speak (Morgan Hallett). It is a particularly interesting piece to me since I spend part of each year in Ireland (mostly in Derry and Donegal where the play is set) and have seen the rising use of Gaelic (now called "Irish") in common speech, particularly in the south and east. Here, it's 1833, and the Irish speak Irish. Friel is concerned with English corruption of the Irish language and culture as they convert the names of towns, rivers, etc., into English. Friel has everyone speaking English, but we understand when they are supposed to be talking Irish and when English. That works well.
This is a political play, written in 1979, that supports Ireland's return to Gaelic, with an interesting message: The Irish, although living in houses with dirt floors, are a cultured people with an understanding of History, who learn Latin and Greek. The English are barbarians who know nothing of culture, as exemplified by a Nazi-like horrible English Captain (Graeme Malcolm). There is some possible hope of an occasional sensitive aberration, however, as an English lieutenant (Chandler Williams) and an Irish girl (Susan Lynch) fall in love although they don't understand a word of each other's language. There is lots of alcohol, the traditional bane of the Irish, but here they can handle it, and be smart in spite of it.
There are interesting philosophic insights on History and the Perception of History and a foreshadowing of the coming potato blight. The play has a political message: although living in a primitive state, the Irish are the learned repositors of ancient knowledge. Although there is a hint of disaster, Translations has no resolution for the main characters.
Francis O'Connor's set gives us the epitome of age and decay - the embodiment of poverty, dirt floor and all. Lighting by Davy Cunningham is brilliant in its nuances and clarity. A superb cast and Garry Hynes' sure directorial hand and understanding of these people makes this a vivid piece.
