60th Anniversary Production of “Translations”

Sligo Drama Circle returns to the stage of the Hawk’s Well Theatre this March to celebrate 60 years of amateur drama in Sligo with its production of the late Brian Friel classic “TRANSLATIONS”.

The action of the play takes place in August 1833 in the Irish-speaking community of the townland of Baile Beag in Co. Donegal where the locals attend a hedge school to further their education. It is a time of transition as official national schools are in the process of being established.

At the same time, a detachment of the Royal Engineers is in the area making the first Ordnance Survey. As part of their cartography work, the local Gaelic placenames have to be translated into English and recorded.

Events become complicated when one of the local girls falls in love with one of the British soldiers. Conflict is inevitable when the soldier goes missing, presumed dead.

The events of the play have far-reaching consequences, both personal and cultural, for the locality. “Translations” is a play about love, culture and tradition, and the circumstances that force the break with these traditions. “Translations” is one of the giants of the Irish canon from the pen of the recently deceased playwright, Brian Friel. Indeed Sligo Drama Circle is privileged to have been one of only two companies to have been granted permission to stage this play this year.

Director Damien Quinn has assembled an experienced cast for “Translations” to follow up on the Drama Circle’s huge Summer 2015 success with  John B. Keane’s “Moll”. Hugh O’ Neill plays the part of Hugh, the schoolmaster; Barry Deignan plays the part of his son Manus; Luke Devaney plays the part of his other son Owen; Orla Mc Sharry, Roy Mitchell, Sarah Burns, Niamh Burke and Ultan Burke play the parts of the locals in the hedge school; Michael Goodman and Marcel Gordon play the parts of the British officers.

“Translations” promises to be an unmissable night’s drama, the perfect start for the Drama Circle’s 6oth Anniversary year.

“Translations” runs at the Hawk’s Well Theatre from Tuesday March 8th to Saturday March 12th nightly at 8pm. Tickets are available from the Hawk’s Well Theatre Box Office on (071) 916 1518 priced at €15 (€12 concessions & OAP’s). There is a special rate of €10 per ticket for groups of ten or more. This should appeal to secondary school students studying “Translations” as a comparative text for the Leaving Certificate. All tickets can also be booked online at www.hawkswell.com

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