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Translations

Set in a hedge school in Ballybeg, in Ireland in 1833, Translations sets the scene for the appearance of members of the British Army who have been tasked to translate place names in the area from ancient Irish Gaelic to the King's English. This clash of cultures results in a series of misunderstandings and misinterpretations that indicate that without a shared method of communication, chaos will prevail and instability will rule the day.

Owen, brother to lame aspiring teacher Manus, returns home after six years away in Dublin. With him is Lieutenant Yolland, who is working on the Ordnance Survey map of Ireland.  Owen acts as a translator and go-between for the British and Irish.  A love triangle between Yolland, Manus, and a local woman, Máire, complicates matters and this poignant story is played out onstage, under the much lauded direction of acclaimed actor and director, Adrian Dunbar. Read more …

Translations was first performed at the Guildhall in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 1980. It was the first production by the Field Day Theatre Company founded by Tony Award Winner Friel and Stephen Rea.  Don't miss your chance to see this creative production of this renowned play from one of the greatest living English-language dramatists.


The critical consensus

Tighter direction is needed, however. Accents in particular are problematic. At times Ward forgets his lame leg and seems almost sprightly. And why Yolland falls for the sharp-tongued Maire, who spends most of her time on stage shouting, is anybody’s guess. Perhaps it all got lost in the translation.

Eileen Walsh, The Stage, 18/03/2013

Adrian Dunbar’s clear and measured touring production, created for the Millennium Forum in Derry, does a great job in bringing the hedge school to life, and putting the emotional bones on the relationships between the soldiers and the locals.

***(*)(*)Thom Dibdin, Annals of Edinburgh Stage, 16/04/2013

Friel’s script takes centre stage as Dunbar’s attempts to hold interest outside of the engaging text (live accordion music) are somewhat hindered by the action feeling rather limited, partly due to the banal and rather uninspiring set.

***(*)(*)Callum Madge, TVBomb, 16/04/2013

There’s a tale told of director Trevor Nunn once threatening a playwright that he would direct the writer’s play ‘exactly as you’ve written it’. One had the sense that Brian Friel’s classic had unintentionally been given such treatment. A little more application of the imagination could have lifted a fine production into a truly great one.

****(*)Bill Dunlop, Edinburgh Guide, 17/04/2013

Translations

Where and when?

King's Theatre, Edinburgh from Monday April 15, 2013, until Saturday April 20, 2013. More info: http://www.edtheatres.com/kings

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