Keegan Theatre presents the Irish contemporary masterpiece Translations, written by the beloved and acclaimed playwright Brian Friel.  A brilliant work of historical fiction, Translations explores the dilemma of traditions and national identity juxtaposed with colonialism and changing times in the politically charged landscape of early 1800s Ireland.  Inhabitants of a small town in County Donegal feel the repercussions as the British Royal Engineers Ordinance Survey come through their area Anglicizing Gaelic place names. Set mostly in a ‘hedge school’ in Baile Beag (renamed Ballybeg), the locals try to deal with what is happening, and where and how they fit in. Friel’s drama touches the heart as sympathetic characters on both sides reach out to one another. 

Brian Friel wrote Translations in 1980 as the Field Day Theatre Company’s first production. Though many consider Translations his literary masterwork, Friel is widely admired and recognized for his other dramatic works such as Faith Healer, Molly Sweeney and the often-produced Dancing at Lughnasa. Friel is currently living in Ireland, where he continues to write for the stage.

For its production of Translations, Keegan Theatre is honored and delighted to welcome  to its stage guest artist Matthew Keenan from Dublin, Ireland.  Keenan – who is relocating to the United States as a Keegan-sponsored artist for the 2008-2009 season – will perform the role of Doalty in Translations, the role originally played by Liam Neeson in the 1980 production. Other members of the esteemed Translations cast include company members Susan Marie Rhea (Maire) and Kevin Adams (Hugh); also returning to the Keegan stage are Colin Smith as Manus (1776, Glengarry Glen Ross, The Hostage), Erin Buchanan as Bridget (The Importance of Being Earnest), Peter Finnegan as Yolland (Glengarry Glen Ross), and Jon Townson as Owen, (The Glass Menagerie, A Man for All Seasons).  Two actors from Keegan’s original production of Translations are also returning to reprise their roles:  Stan Shulman as Jimmy Jack Cassie and Daniel Lyons as Lancey.  Rounding out the cast is Samantha Sheahan as Sarah. Samantha is a gifted young actress discovered by Keegan through its outreach project with Chalice Theatre.

From the Director:

“Translations is -- to put it simply -- my favorite piece of theater, Irish or otherwise. It aches.  There is something universal about the pain and the wonder of the play, even as it pulses with Friel's love for the Irish people,   For Keegan, Translations is especially meaningful because it was our second show as a theater company.  We performed it in a church basement with all this talent and passion and love for the work, and we had the magic of George Lucas’ set and Dan Martin’s lighting to help us create Friel’s world. The synergy among the actors, the text and myself was just astonishing. The show was received with overwhelming warmth and enthusiasm, and it garnered Keegan our first Helen Hayes nomination. This time around, I feel I have once again assembled just a spectacular cast, and of course I am beyond thrilled to be able to produce the show at Church Street -- a perfect fit for the feeling of this piece. 

“The stripping away of place names, the loss of language -- it is a far more violent, drastic thing than it may seem on the surface. What you lose is profound -- the history, the storytelling, the heart and home of a people.  How Friel tackles this complex and sensitive moment in history through this small, specific story and these fantastic, rich characters -- well, it is a smorgasbord for the actors, a delight for me, and a gift to our audiences.”