'Remembering Brian Friel'  

14 March 2016

 

Participants in the 2015 Brian Friel Summer School joined Queen’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patrick Johnston and Brian Friel’s widow, Anne and daughter Mary Bateman, at a special performance to remember the world-renowned playwright.

The unique ‘Remembering Brian Friel’ event on 10 March 2016 took place in the Brian Friel Theatre in the University’s Drama & Film Centre, and celebrated the strong link between Queen's and the celebrated Irish dramatist Brian Friel, who died last autumn.

Introduced by Dr Kurt Taroff, the Director of Education in the School of Creative Arts at Queen’s, the occasion included the unveiling of a portrait of Brian Friel by Anthony Palliser, which has been gifted to the University by the Friel family.

Formally accepting the painting, which will go on permanent display in the foyer of the Theatre, Professor Johnston spoke of the close personal interest which Brian Friel, a 1992 honorary graduate of the University, had in the study and performance of drama at Queen’s.

“Brian Friel was a very private man and would doubtless have raised a quizzical eyebrow at the idea of today’s event. But it is a testament to the warm affection and regard in which he was held that so many of Belfast’s leading dramatists have joined together today with those who teach, research, study and enjoy drama at Queen’s to pay him tribute.

“The University is delighted to have enjoyed a long and successful relationship with Brian Friel which has enhanced our reputation for Drama Studies on the national and international stage,” said Professor Johnston.

“And today’s event recognises Brian’s outstanding contribution to the development of drama and the performing arts throughout Ireland, and, indeed, well beyond these shores,” he added.

A programme of readings by several leading Belfast playwrights and actors was introduced by David Grant, Senior Lecturer in Drama in the School of Creative Arts. Among those reading extracts from Friel's work were Frankie McCafferty (who read from Losers), Dan Gordon (Making History), Maggie Cronin (Molly Sweeney), Martin Lynch (Translations), and Tim Loane who read from Aristocrats. Students from the 2015 inaugural Summer School performed pieces from Translations and from Philadelphia, Here I Come and The Loves of Cass McGuire.

Dr Michelle Young, who has a PHD in Drama from Queen’s and Gary McKeone of Field Day Theatre Company, also read an extract from Friel’s award-winning Dancing at Lughnasa.

Brian Friel died peacefully at his home in Greencastle, Co Donegal on 02 October 2015, after a long illness. He is survived by his wife Anne, daughters Judy (Maher), Sally (Sultan) and Mary (Bateman), and by his son David, 11 grandchildren, and by his sister Mary McMahon.

For more on the Brian Friel Theatre visit the website.

General inquiries to Gerry Power, Communications Officer, Development and Alumni Relations Office; telephone: +44 (0)28 9097 5321.

 

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