Philadelphia here I come

‘Philadelphia here I come!’ is a 1964 play by Irish dramatist Brian Friel, first performed, at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin and then for 326 performances on Broadway. This wonderful two and a half hour production is presented by the Irish Theatre Players at the Irish Club (where even the disinfectant blocks in the urinal are emerald!) 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco Start time 8pm until 24^th April

         Set in Ballybeg, in North West Eire, this is the story of a young Gar O’Donnell (Steven Grant), who lives with his miserable and introverted father (Pat Dunne), shopkeeper SB or ‘screwballs’, as he is locally known. The loving but brusque, housekeeper, Madge (Siobhan Wright), has cared for Gar since his mother’s death at childbirth. Gar is a deep character, never really saying what he thinks. Storing up his feelings. However, he is portrayed as two characters, Public Gar who interacts with his family and friends, and another Private Gar (Darragh Joyce) a fine blend of priest like conscience, fun, and a driving force. The private Gar is only seen and heard by the audience.

        Since leaving school, Gar has worked in his father’s shop, and even so, their relationship is cold with no apparent love between them. Gar’s mother’s sister, Auntie Lizzy (Phyllis Graham) and her husband Con (Joe Purcell) arrive on holiday to Ireland, with their US sponsor Ben (Niall O’Toole), from Philadelphia where they have lived for a couple of decades. This childless couple tell Gar what he is missing, and plant the seed of emigration in his head.

        Gar considers the complications of leaving for America. Leaving his old love, Kate Doogan (Courtney Hill) although her Senator father (Laurence Whyte) certainly will not be missed.  Should he stay? A final night out with the boys (Cein Byrne, Olan Hodnett, Kevin Chan) just further complicates his feelings. Will Canon O’Byrne’s (Jim Motherway) ‘wise’ words help in Gar’s decision-making?

Many immigrants in WA will remember the mixed feelings experienced on leaving their homeland to come to Australia. The elation, the tearing apart of families. Ivan Motherway, with his clever direction, has captured the multitude of feelings blended into this play. He has a brilliant cast, not a weak link, there were several strong cameos. I would like to give special mention of the acting by Darragh Joyce, Phyllis Graham (as you have never seen her!) and Siobhan Wright, who conveyed the heartbreak of losing her surrogate son.

Typical of Friel's plays, ‘Philadelphia’ centres on the personal tribulations of a single, sad character with domestic conflicts, thus attracting complimentary comparisons to Chekhov. One critic wrote ‘Chekhov never wrote so richly about the unprivileged.’ In November 2008, The Queen's University new theatre complex was named The Brian Friel Theatre Centre.

This play is not of interest to children under 12 – so why bring them? When the President asks the audience to turn off their phones, please do not let yours ring for an amazing 20-30 seconds unanswered.

A unique style of theatre, most professionally carried off. Still a few shows left.

Gordon the Optom