Brian Friel
Birth Place: IRELAND
Latest News on Brian Friel:
Previews: DANCING AT LUGHNASA at City Theatre (Apr 8, 2024)
WET BRAIN, STEREOPHONIC & More Nominated for 39th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards - See the Full List! (Apr 4, 2024)
Video: Watch a Trailer for Brian Friel's PHILADELPHIA, HERE I COME! at Irish Rep (Mar 30, 2024)
Previews: DANCING AT LUGHNASA at City Theatre (Apr 8, 2024)
WET BRAIN, STEREOPHONIC & More Nominated for 39th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards - See the Full List! (Apr 4, 2024)
Video: Watch a Trailer for Brian Friel's PHILADELPHIA, HERE I COME! at Irish Rep (Mar 30, 2024)
Brian Friel BIO
Brian Friel was an Irish playwright and director, born on January 9, 1929, in Omagh, Northern Ireland. He was considered one of the greatest English-language playwrights of the 20th century, known for his insightful portrayal of the complexities of Irish life and culture. Friel's work has been performed on Broadway and in theaters around the world.
Friel began his career as a teacher, but soon turned to writing. His first play, "A Doubtful Paradise," was produced in Dublin in 1959. He gained critical acclaim with his play "Philadelphia, Here I Come!" which premiered at the Dublin Theatre Festival in 1964. The play explores the relationship between a young man and his father, and their conflicting views on life and love. It was later produced on Broadway in 1966 and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play.
Friel continued to write plays that explored the complexities of Irish life and culture. His plays often dealt with themes of identity, memory, and language. In 1990, Friel wrote "Dancing at Lughnasa," which won the Tony Award for Best Play. The play is set in rural Ireland in 1936 and tells the story of five sisters and their struggle to survive in a changing world.
Friel was also a prolific director, and he directed many of his own plays. He was a founding member of the Field Day Theatre Company, which was established in 1980 to promote Irish culture and literature. Friel's work with the Field Day Theatre Company included productions of his plays "Translations" and "Making History."
In addition to his work in the theater, Friel wrote several screenplays, including the adaptation of his play "Dancing at Lughnasa" for the 1998 film of the same name. He also wrote the screenplay for the 1981 film "Faith Healer."
Friel's other notable plays include "The Freedom of the City," "Living Quarters," "Wonderful Tennessee," and "Molly Sweeney." His work has been performed in theaters around the world and has been translated into many languages.
Brian Friel passed away on October 2, 2015, at the age of 86. His most recent work was the 2010 play "The Home Place," which premiered at the Gate Theatre in Dublin. The play is set in 1878 and explores the relationship between the English and Irish in rural Ireland. Friel's legacy as a playwright and director continues to inspire and influence the theater world.
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Brian Friel Awards and Nominations
winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2005 - Best Play
Brian FrielThe Home Place
winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1996 - Best Foreign Play
Brian Friel, Molly Sweeney
winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1992 - Best Play
Brian Friel, Dancing at Lughnasa
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Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Play
Brian Friel, Dancing at Lughnasa
Drama Desk Awards - 1991 - Outstanding New Play
Brian Friel, Dancing at Lughnasa
winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1991 - Best Play
Brian FrielDancing at Lughnasa
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Olivier Awards - 1991 - BBC Award for the Play of the Year
Brian FrielDancing At Lughnasa
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New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1989 - Best Foreign Play
Brian Friel, Aristocrats
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Evening Standard Awards - 1988 - Best Play
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Olivier Awards - 1981 - Play of the Year
Brian FrielTranslations
Tony Awards - 1969 - Best Play
Brian FrielLovers
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1966 - Best Play
Brian Friel, Philadelphia, Here I Come!
Tony Awards - 1966 - Best Play
Brian Friel, Philadelphia, Here I Come!
Brian Friel Videos
Video: Watch a Trailer for Brian Friel's PHILADELPHIA, HERE I COME! at Irish Rep
by Blair Ingenthron - Mar 30, 2024
Photos/Video: Inside Rehearsal For the UK and Ireland Tour of FAITH HEALER
by Stephi Wild - Aug 30, 2023
STAGE TUBE: Behind the Scenes with Brian Friel's THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY at Irish Rep
by Stage Tube - Oct 11, 2012
STAGE TUBE: In Rehearsal for Irish Rep's OLIVER! With Brian Stokes Mitchell, Melissa Errico and More!
by Kelsey Denette - Jun 8, 2012
BWW TV: Ian McDiarmid in Chicago Shakespeare Theater's TIMON OF ATHENS - Show Highlights!
by Jessica Lewis - May 11, 2012
STAGE TUBE: Watch Joel Grey / A New York Life Exhibition Virtual Tour Here!
by Jessica Lewis - Dec 13, 2011
Brian Friel News
Previews: DANCING AT LUGHNASA at City Theatre
City Theater Company gets their Irish on with Dancing At Lughnasa by Brian Friel, April 19-27, 2024 at The Delaware Contemporary.
WET BRAIN, STEREOPHONIC & More Nominated for 39th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards - See the Full List!
Nominations for the 39th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway were announced by Amber Iman and George Abud. Check out the full list of nominees!
Video: Watch a Trailer for Brian Friel's PHILADELPHIA, HERE I COME! at Irish Rep
Watch a trailer for Philadelphia, Here I Come! at Irish Rep, featuring interviews with the cast and creative team in the video here!
Review Roundup: PHILADELPHIA, HERE I COME! at the Irish Rep
The Friel Project continues at Irish Rep, where Philadelphia, Here I Come! just celebrated its opening night. Check out what the critics are saying about the production here.
Ken Ludwig World Premiere & More Set for Asolo Repertory Theatre 2024-25 Season
Asolo Repertory Theatre, has revealed its 2024-2025 season. See the full lineup of plays and learn how to purchase tickets.
Review: FAITH HEALER, Lyric Hammersmith
Frank Hardy has a problem. He’s an Irish faith healer without faith in his power to heal. It comes, it goes and he only knows for sure when it is not going to happen. With his wife Grace and manager Teddy, their tour of Wales and Scotland in a battered van has seen his abilities steadily failing him. A last throw of the die sees him return to his homeland. What could go wrong?
Writers Theatre Reveals 2024-2025 Season
The Writers Theatre has announced its 2024/25 season. The season kicks off with Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 this September. Learn more about the full lineup here!
Photos: First Look At FAITH HEALER At Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
Production photos have been released for the major revival of Brian Friel’s powerful stage mystery Faith Healer, directed by Artistic Director Rachel O’Riordan at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre.
Photos: First Look At City Theatre's DANCING AT LUGHNASA
City Theatre continues the 2024 season with Brian Friel’s Tony Award winning play DANCING AT LUGHNASA. March 21 – 31 at Genesis Creative Collective. See photos of the production.
Review: DANCING AT LUGHNASA at Genesis Creative Collective
What did our critic think of DANCING AT LUGHNASA at Genesis Creative Collective?
15 New Plays to be Presented at 16th Annual Origin 1st Irish Theatre Festival
The 16th annual Origin 1st Irish Theatre Festival will take place this year from March 23 to April 28 in New York.
Contest: Win Tickets To Brian Friel's PHILADELPHIA, HERE I COME! at Irish Rep
Enter to win two tickets to PHILADELPHIA, HERE I COME! A retrospective of the work of renowned Irish playwright Brian Friel, The Friel Project celebrates Irish Rep’s 35th Anniversary through May 2024.
Irish Rep Adds MOLLY SWEENEY as Fourth Production in The Friel Project
Irish Repertory Theatre will continue The Friel Project with a fourth production, Molly Sweeney. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS World Premiere & More Set for Palm Beach Dramaworks 25th Season
Palm Beach Dramaworks will celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary in 2024-25 with a roster of plays that epitomize its commitment to “Theatre to Think About.” Learn about full programming and see how to purchase tickets.
DANCING AT LUGHNASA Comes to Austin in March
A masterwork in theatre storytelling about family, honor, hope, and the undeniable power of the past, Dancing at Lughnasa runs March 15 - 31 at Genesis Creative Collective.
Photos: In Rehearsal for FAITH HEALER At Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
Take a first look inside the rehearsal room of Faith Healer written by Olivier and Tony Award-winning Brian Friel and directed by the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre’s Artistic Director, Rachel O’Riordan.
London Theatre Week - See over 50 Award-Winning Musicals and Plays with Tickets from £15, £25 or £35
London Theatre Week is the West End’s biggest promotion, giving you the chance to see over 50 amazing award-winning musicals and stunning plays with tickets from £15, £25 or £35
Spotlight: ARISTOCRATS at Irish Repertory Theatre
Unlock the Drama: Brian Friel’s ARISTOCRATS at Irish Rep - Must Close Mar 3!
DON JUAN IN HELL Comes to the Irish Heritage Theatre Next Month
The Irish Heritage Theatre has announced its next production of Don Juan in Hell by George Bernard Shaw. Learn more about the show here!
Video: Watch the Trailer for Brian Friel's ARISTOCRATS at Irish Repertory Theatre
Watch the trailer for Aristocrats at Irish Rep. Learn how to purchase tickets!
Brian Friel FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many shows has Brian Friel written?
Brian Friel has written 18 shows including Philadelphia, Here I Come! (Playwright), The Loves of Cass McGuire (Playwright), The Mundy Scheme (Playwright), Crystal and Fox (Playwright), The Freedom of the City (Playwright), Aristocrats (Playwright), Making History (Playwright), Dancing at Lughnasa (Playwright), Wonderful Tennessee (Playwright), Molly Sweeney (Playwright), The Freedom of the City (Playwright), Give Me Your Answer, Do! (Playwright), Philadelphia, Here I Come! (Playwright), Faith Healer (Playwright), Translations (Playwright), Hedda Gabler (Adaptor), Lovers (Playwright), The Home Place (Playwright).
What awards has Brian Friel been nominated for?
Brian Friel has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including Best Play at the Evening Standard Awards for "The Home Place," Best Foreign Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Molly Sweeney" and "Aristocrats," Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Dancing at Lughnasa," Outstanding New Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Dancing at Lughnasa," BBC Award for the Play of the Year at the Olivier Awards for "Dancing At Lughnasa," Play of the Year at the Olivier Awards for "Translations," and Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Lovers," "Philadelphia, Here I Come!," and "Dancing at Lughnasa."
What awards has Brian Friel won?
Brian Friel has won several awards for his work, including Best Play at the Evening Standard Awards for "The Home Place," Best Foreign Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Molly Sweeney," Best Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Dancing at Lughnasa," and a Tony Award for Best Play for "Dancing at Lughnasa." He also received the BBC Award for the Play of the Year at the Olivier Awards for "Dancing At Lughnasa," as well as Best Foreign Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Aristocrats" and another Best Play award at the Evening Standard Awards for "Aristocrats."
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