Word: friel
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...Friel's play also stumbles with the more basic problem of telling a story about the loss of the Irish language to an English-speaking audience...
...best, Friel's dialogue is so at ease with poetry and humor that it is difficult not to fall into his hands. Difficult--but not impossible. The dialogue often sacrifices basic understanding for poetic effect...
Characters speak English, even when they're supposed to be speaking Irish. Friel's convention is difficult to accept, especially when his play deals with language at such a fundamental level and is so firmly grounded in realism. Director Howard Davies compounds the problem by failing to distinguish when characters are speaking in translated Irish or actual English, causing frequent confusion...
Dennehy is also unconvincing as Hugh, a brooding Lear figure who mourns the destruction of his community. Partly because of Friel's flimsy dialogue, Hugh's appeals lack the weight of his pivotal role in the play as the last stand against the encroaching English language...
Sewell does a better job with Owen, the son who seemingly shuns tradition but is more conflicted than he realizes. Sewell explores the complexities of his character, only to find that Friel hasn't written enough to fully express his thoughts...