OVERVIEW

Brian Friel was born in Omagh in Co. Tyrone in 1929. He received his college education in Derry, Maynooth and Belfast, and taught at various schools in Derry from 1950 to 1960.

Friel began his writing career as a writer of short stories, but it is as a playwright he is best known for internationally. Since the success of "Philadelphia, Here I Come!" In 1964, he has written over twenty plays, successfully confirming his reputation as a major dramatist of the twentieth century.

Most of Friel's plays have been performed extensively in Dublin at the Abbey, The Gate and Olympia Theatres , in many West-End Theatres in London and on Broadway, while always addressing specifically Irish Themes.

He co-founded The Field-Day Theatre Company with actor Stephen Rea in Derry, where Translations (1980), The Communication Cord (1982) and Making History (1988) Premiered. Field Day was set up with the intention of establishing the city as a theatrical centre. It raised the profile of Derry as a city drawing strength from it's Protestant and Catholic inheritances and it's strategic location near the border of the partitioned Ireland.

This Film tells the story of an exceptional playwright living and working in Ireland today. It includes some thoughts from both his friends and various people who have had the pleasure of working with him or on some of his plays.

Notoriously, Brian Friel is a shy man, reticent in public and sparing in his comments on his own work to a Beckettian degree. However, at the end of this short Brian has commented on the film itself, which adds a very nice touch.

CONTRIBUTORS

PLAYS BY BRIAN FRIEL

The Enemy Within (1962)
Philadelphia, Here I Come!
The Freedom of the City
Aristocrats
Faith Healer (1979) N.Y
The Munday Scheme (1969)
The Gentle Island (1971)
Dancing at Lughnasa
Living Quarters
Volunteers
Give me your Answer, Do
The Loves of Cass Maguire
Lovers
Three Sisters (translation)
Making History
Wonderful Tennessee
Molly Sweeney