Translations

There are many good performances here: the young cast more than cope with the demands of the play. Nora Wardell is captivating as Maire, an ambitious student who falls for the British Army's Ortographer, Lieutenant Yolland, here played by Joe Jameson. The moment at which they share their love for eachother in the second act is a highlight of the production, managing to be both amusing and touching in the same instance. Maire's other suitor, Manus and his brother Owen, are here played by Charlie Morton and Peter Hoggart who also turn in top performances.

Their alcoholic schoolmaster father, Hugh, is well-played by Alasdair Buchan, who, along with Oliver Hoare as Jimmy Jack, displays a good sense of comic timing, especially when the duo quote Greek and Latin to each other. Matt Christian Reed is commanding as Captain Lancey and Tala Gouveia is charming as Sarah, while Tom Weston-Jones and Heather Johnson successfully capture the raucous side of rural Irish life as Doalty and Bridget.

The set, designed by Anna Michaels, is remarkably detailed in its evocation of a school in a quiet Irish village to life. Not one detail has been overlooked, and even the pillars that dominate the Tobacco Factory's performance space have been turned into a feature rather than an obstruction. That said, there are some slightly cringe-worthy special effects in the latter stages as play, when the roof begins to fall onto the stage. At first it appeared unintentional and then it became obvious that it was a device meant to represent how the characters' world was about to fall apart.

Aside from this small misjudgement this is still a very enjoyable production which leaves the audience satisfied in many ways. Friel's play remains rich and potent and while this production didn't tap into the issues explored as much as it might, it is still refreshing to see such strong talent emerging; there were a number of people among the cast who will likely have a very bright future ahead of them indeed.

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