Translations

English Fog
and some breaks of sunshine

We open on a dirt-floor barn house in Ireland. Large doors provide a glimpse on the world outdoors, which most of the time is grey or rainy. The space first serves as a schoolhouse, then a planning space for the English mapping and naming of the surroundings, and then as a soapbox stage. The locals all gather to bask in the knowledge of classics and such from the local teacher. In stereotypical style, the Irish teacher is drunk most of the time so his son does most of the prep and teaching while his father emotes and frets upon his stage, unfortunately heard evermore, or at least 'til the end of the play. The British come to town with the second son acting as interpreter for the military men there to act as cartographers. One soldier falls for a young lass. All hell breaks loose after the soldier disappears and the British army seeks justice in a very vengeful way.

There are many fans Brian Friel's work. He is extremely intellectual and academic in his style appear at times to show off his literary acumen. The acting was professional and earnest but the material lends itself to frequent bouts of pontification and overt grandstanding particularly on the part of the old, drunk teacher. Garry Hynes directed this version with a steady but free hand when more control and restraint could have served the material better. She chose to push the messages overtly and traditionally with gritty staging, rustic art direction, indulgent actings, and constant pacing. The material is strong and preachy enough as written that a calmer, more subtle and restrained direction with pauses and places for contemplation would have served the story better. Many a Gaelic, Welsh, or English philologist will enjoy this; the rest of us can skip the lecture.