Yolland (Erik Hellman) and Maire (Tyler Meredith) have left the dance and come running into the clearing. As they try to catch their breath, they realize they are still holding hands and immediately drop them, breaking all contact. The two try to speak, but it’s clear that they do not fully understand each other—with Maire unable to speak English and Yolland not knowing Gaelic. However, then things begin to slow down. Even as they create some distance between each other, their eye contact remains unbroken. They try to communicate, at first noting little details about the environment, but then slowly entering deeper territory. There’s a connection here. They may be unable to find the words, but a romantic language is still being shared.
As they cut the distance and approach each other, Yolland utters the word “always.” He always wishes to remain here, in this village, with Maire. She fixates on the word, and as they inch closer to each other, that word “always” becomes a promise. Maire may not know exactly what it means, but the energy they share offers enough of a definition for her to trust his intentions. Meredith and Hellman bring the scene to life with a chemistry that will make you wish you could jump into the scene and help them along.
Brian Friel’s 1980 play is about a lot of things. There’s colonialism. There are border challenges. There’s love. However, at the root, there’s a story about language. We have so many different ways to communicate in this world. Even when it seems like there’s no hope to ever understand, we often still find a way.
Directed by Braden Abraham, Translations follows a group of villagers in the town-land of Baile Beag/Ballybeg who are about to have their world turned upside down. Hugh (Kevin Gudahl) and Manus (Andrew Mueller) run the hedge school together, and the late afternoon in August 1833 seems to begin like any other. The students enter the one-room school, each with different goals.
Some like Doalty (Ian Maryfield) are having difficulty with their multiplication tables while others like Bridget (Chloe Baldwin) might have the math down, but the handwriting leaves something to be desired. Sarah (Julia Rowley) is learning to overcome her speech impediment, and Jimmy Jack (Jonathan Weir) seems to just want to read his novel. Abraham’s ensemble is strong. Each of these characters brings their own charm that is impossible not to love as you see them greet each other with such warmth and humor.
However, when the British arrive, no one quite knows how to move forward. Captain Lancey (Gregory Linington) and Yolland claim that they are simply there to draw a map, but Manus sees right through it. Changes are coming, and whether they like it or not, this small town is never quite going to be able to return to their simple way of life.
Helmed by Abraham, the design team successfully draws the audience into this charming village. Scenic designer Andrew Boyce amazes with details in the outdoor setting surrounding the hedge school. Particularly in the scenes that take place later in the evening, lighting designer Maximo Grano De Oro creates a dreamy aesthetic, complete with cooler blues and shadows. The intimate feel of Writers Theatre invites the audience into the world, allowing us to fall in love with the town right alongside Yolland.
A stellar ensemble and a striking design make Translations a story that will stick with you for days. In a world that seems to be suffering so deeply from miscommunications, perhaps what we need more than anything is a play about the hope that with time, we can learn to understand and overcome.
Translations runs through May 4 at Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Ct in Glencoe. Tickets run from $45 to $105. For more information, see the Writers Theatre website. Running time is 2 hours and 15 minutes, with intermission.
For more information on this and other productions, see theatreinchicago.com.
Support arts and culture journalism today. This work doesn't happen without your support. Contribute today and ensure we can continue to share the latest reviews, essays, and previews of the most anticipated arts and culture events across the city.