We always enjoy our visits to the Alumnae Theatre on Berkeley Street, home of the Toronto Irish Players. Our visit yesterday, to see Brian Friel’s play Translations, was no exception. And yet, this particular play was not as satisfying as some. Figuring out why isn’t exactly easy.
Part of the problem, I think, is with the play itself. According to Wikipedia, Friel has said that Translations is “a play about language and only about language”. Clearly this isn’t true. The play’s drama is driven by the British occupation and Nazi-like threats of military brutality. In a sense, it’s a propaganda piece reminding us of British colonialism’s viciousness and arousing sympathy for Irish peasants. Certainly, Friel wraps much of his story in references to the Irish love of languages; the native tongue, Greek, Latin and even English. He makes good use of the language theme to express his ideas about the ways and worth of Irish culture. It works, but the political message was kind of overbearing and got in the way of the richer, cultural picture that was being painted.
I have difficulty knowing if the author or the director is responsible for another problem. The symbolism of broken, handicapped Irish people up against a stiff, heartless British commander was anything but subtle. The bones of the play stuck out.
And then we come to the actors. I liked every one of them and thought all did creditable jobs with the roles they were handed. Some dramatic passages seemed overly long, though, and occasionally the acting went a bit over-the-top. The director might have helped with those problems. As it was, whenever the play got a bit dry and “talky”, a layer of exaggerated acting was dolloped on. Seemed a bit forced and even jarringly counterproductive at times.
Nevertheless, the play had impact and some memorable moments. Not the Irish Players best work perhaps, but certainly worth attending. Just my 2ยข… We’ll look forward to the next play.