Translations
By Brian Friel
New Theatre, Sydney, until 20 December
Review by Brendan Doyle
Set in 1833 in the Irish-speaking rural community of Baile Beag in County Donegal, this fine play tells the story of what happens when a foreign power (the English) sets out to dominate another culture by imposing its own language and values on the people.
The action takes place in a barn which, because of the laws against Catholic education, serves as the locals' school. Here, schoolmaster Hugh, a likeable old pedant, teaches Greek and Latin to a close-knit group from the poor farming community. Manus, however, who lives above the barn, sees the writing on the wall and is convinced that English would be of much more use to the locals than the classics. It is, after all, the language of political and economic power.
As if to prove this point, Owen, a well-dressed, confident and apparently successful young man, returns to the village after many years in England to announce that officers from the English army, for whom he works as an interpreter, will be carrying out the first ordinance survey of the area. This involves translating all the local place names from Irish into English. Owen seems enthusiastic about the project, as if it will somehow bring Ireland into the modern age.
At first, Owen goes about the task of translation quite cheerfully. But gradually, as he gets back in touch with the local culture and language, and the rich, harmonious community life of the villagers, he begins to doubt the wisdom of what he is involved in.
To further complicate matters, English Lieutenant Yolland, who has come for the survey, falls in love with Maire, a local girl. This sparks jealousy in Manus. Yolland disappears, apparently kidnapped or killed, and Manus leaves the village. English officer Lancey announces that local men will be executed until Yolland is found.
In this play, Irish dramatist Brian Friel explores the questions: "How does the eradication of the Irish language and the substitution of English affect society?" and "How long can a society live without its tongue?".
He reveals the far-reaching personal and cultural effects of a seemingly harmless administrative action. The disused barn which serves as the schoolroom and its meagre living quarters is a dramatic image of a rural culture facing extinction through the actions of a foreign power.
The situation is far from unique to Ireland. The destruction of indigenous language and culture by the predominantly English colonisers of Australia came about in a similar fashion, and no doubt involved much of the same sort of "translation".
Other plays by Brian Friel include Freedom of the City, Faith Healer and the recent Sydney production Dancing at Lughnasa. This production of Translations, directed by Alan Docker, is an enjoyable interpretation of an accessible play that manages to bring humour, and a real affection for the characters, to a very political subject.
The set by Tom Bannerman works beautifully as the barn schoolhouse. Costumes and lighting design also work well to create the feel of village life. The acting is of the usual high standard we've come to expect at New Theatre. Recommended.