The Cambridge Companion to Brian Friel

Description

Brian Friel is widely recognized as Ireland's greatest living playwright, winning an international reputation through such acclaimed works as Translations (1980) and Dancing at Lughnasa (1990). This 2006 collection of specially commissioned essays includes contributions from leading commentators on Friel's work (including two fellow playwrights) and explores the entire range of his career from his 1964 breakthrough with Philadelphia, Here I Come! to his most recent success in Dublin and London with The Home Place (2005). The essays approach Friel's plays both as literary texts and as performed drama, and provide the perfect introduction for students of both English and Theatre Studies, as well as theatregoers. The collection considers Friel's lesser-known works alongside his more celebrated plays and provides a comprehensive critical survey of his career. This is a comprehensive study of Friel's work, and includes a chronology and further reading suggestions.

Anthony Roche is Senior Lecturer in English and Drama at University College Dublin.

'... an outstanding collection of fourteen essays ... an excellent introduction for the general reader to the Irish playwright ...' Nagyvarad, Partium Christian University, Romania '... an excellent introduction for the general reader to the Irish playwright whose 'contribution has been one of the most necessary and profound by a living writer in the English language'. It includes a useful chronology, index, and select bibliography of primary and secondary works.' Hungarian Journal of English and American Studies 'This collection of essays offers a variety of insightful approaches to Friel beyond the obvious groupings of plays and themes.' Wasafiri