REVIEW: “Translations”, Loft Theatre

Tony Homer reviews Brian Friel’s Translations at the Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa.

‘Excellent Communication’

After the first act of Translations at The Loft Theatre, I was yearning for the piece to continue. Having been reassured by the director that the interval was as scripted I went back in again and was rewarded with the conclusion of a beautiful piece of writing. Good writing, be it a novel or even a song, is best when it leaves you at the point of wanting more. No words are wasted and there do not seem to be too many. Which is significant as Brian Friel’s play is very much about language and words.

We are in Baile Beag (or Ballybeg) 1833, close enough to the Irish Rebellion of 1798 and yet to live through the Great Famine from 1845. The play opens in the house of Hugh, the hedge school teacher. Old and well seasoned Jimmy Jack is reciting his Homer and translating alongside Manus, who wishes to emulate his father Hugh as a school teacher. We hear them speaking English but soon realise that we are actually receiving a translation of their mother tongue. This is apparent when Young Sarah is being taught how to say her name in English. For whose benefit? Well, the English of course, for they have arrived in the guise of cartographers for the English Military. Their job, to create a map of the area and create new place names, translating again from the Irish.

Language is at the heart of everything. Not least the poignant love affair that develops between young Lieutenant Yolland (a terribly handsome and well spoken Ted McGowan) and Maire (a splendidly central and emotional performance from Leonie Slater). These two young actors broke my heart and most of the audience with their courtship in Act 2. Out in the moonlit fields they can barely communicate because of the language barrier but carry on regardless of understanding. Both endeavouring to speak in the other’s mother tongue until it is their own tongues that become entwined. 

Tom O’Connor directs a quality ensemble of actors who plainly have worked tremendously hard at their soft accents and the difficulties of speaking in Latin or Greek. Everyone is perfectly cast. I felt in safe hands from the outset with Simon Truscott and Bea Shelton. Mark Roberts commands attention as Captain Lancey who demonstrates the good and bad sides of the English presence. Rod Wilkinson is ideal as Jimmy Jack and Craig Shelton as reliable as ever in the role of Hugh. Sophie Lorraine and Connor Bailey lend some fine comic touches and Christopher Stanford is consistently believable as the elder son (Owen) who acts as go between with the English. His professional relationship with Yolland deepens in the second half through mutual trust and plenty of potcheen.

And finally, to add credibility to the whole production, Richard Moore has designed a set worthy of any professional theatre. On entering the auditorium it draws you into this corner of Ireland immediately and John and Carmel Burke added an extra special musical treat with their fiddle and accordion playing. 

Quite simply this was a beautiful play, beautifully played and worth seeing more than once if you have chance.

Translations plays until Saturday the 2nd of March – tickets here.