Faith Healer
Written by Brian Friel. Directed by Rachel O'Riordan.Artistic Director, Rachel O’Riordan (Iphigenia in Splott, A Doll’s House) directs Brian Friel’s “masterpiece” (The Guardian).
Trawling through the remote and lonely villages of Wales and Scotland is, The Fantastic Frank Hardy, who for one night only promises miracle cures for the sick and the suffering. He might just be more showman than shaman but… the promise of the impossible is irresistible.
But it’s Frank’s shapeshifting gift and proclamations that bring him into conflict with his wife Grace and manager Teddy. As they each recount their lives together, they unveil a well of fractured memories.
Brian Friel’s play Faith Healer has spellbinding allure, and powerful stage mystery; it has thrilled audiences across the world since it first opened on Broadway in 1979.
Content Warning: This play includes references to sensitive life experiences that may impact some audience members. Click here to learn more about the themes in this production and for a selection of organisations you can contact for support and advice.
In the Press:
“Brian Friel’s 1979 classic is always worthy of revival” – see Faith Healer included in Time Out’s best new London theatre openings in March here.
“The play is a masterpiece, angry, beautiful, sometimes deeply poetic and at other times brutish and cruel” – read Nick Holder’s interview for Theatre Weekly here.
“In this play there is an appeal by the writer for us to let go of the idea of being ‘right'” – listen to director Rachel O’Riordan’s interview on BBC Radio London here (from 44 mins in).
Spotlight Night: The Irish Cultural Centre, Tue 02 Apr, 6.30pm
Join us on this special evening to learn all about our neighbours in Hammersmith, The Irish Cultural Centre, who will have information and live music from The Sessionists, the ICC’s in centre band, throughout the Lyric to celebrate this famous Irish play.
Beginning at 6.30pm, this event will give you the chance to be up close to the production with a pre-show talk from Artistic Director and director of Faith Healer Rachel O’Riordan, live music, food and drinks, interval drinks and an opportunity to meet the cast post-show.
Tickets for this event cost £70 each (including ticket to Faith Healer) – to purchase, navigate to the performance on 02 Apr, enter the code SPOTLIGHT24 in the promo code box then select the starred seats.
This evening is kindly supported by Finlay Brewer.
