The Lyric Theatre and An Grianan Theatre presents the Northern Ireland premiere of The Home Place by Brian Friel.
It is the summer of 1878, a time of unrest and the early days of the Home Rule movement. The play is set at The Lodge in Ballybeg, the Donegal home of the Gores, a planter family.
The Gores, father and son, are both in love with Margaret, a local woman who has worked in The Lodge since she was fourteen. All three pursue a dream of freedom from their history and heritage and the “awful burden” of the big house.
Brian Friel’s beautifully crafted drama continues the historical probing which culminated in Translations. In that masterpiece, the effects of a military operation to map the physical contours of the Irish landscape infuse the tragedy.
In this, his latest play, a scientific exercise to determine the Irish character inflames an already volatile social moment. The result is a masterful illustration of the dilemmas of national identity and sense of place.
The cast features some of the best known Northern Ireland actors working today: Ian McElhinney in the lead role of Christopher Gore and double Olivier Award winner, Conleth Hill, returning to a Lyric production after major successes on the West End and Broadway. The cast also includes Stuart Graham, back on stage after his extraordinary role in the acclaimed film Hunger, Lalor Roddy, Miche Doherty, Aislin McGuckin, the Fermanagh born actress who is a regular on the stage of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Lisa Lambe, Kyle Riley, Julia Dearden and Pepe Roche.
Post Show Discussion: Free to Ticket Holders
Hosted by The Homeplace Education Project Director, there will be a short post show discussion in which themes and issues emerging from the production will be explored.
Dates & Time: Wednesday 18 & Thursday 19 February after 11am matinee