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.
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).
"A miraculous production, immaculately directed by O’Riordan with a perfect castThe Reviews Hub
A searing piece of theatrical alchemy that showcases a trio of magnificent actorAJH Loves Theatre
"A perfectly-pitched production"Evening Standard
"Quietly spellbinding, beautifully acted staging"Financial Times
"A profound expression of the raw wounds of grief"The Stage
"Fresh and revitalised"Theatre Weekly
"O'Riordan's take feels pristine and ageless"Time Out
Cast
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Declan Conlon
Frank
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Nick Holder
Teddy
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Justine Mitchell
Grace
Creatives
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Director
Rachel O’Riordan
Director
Rachel O’Riordan is Artistic Director and CEO of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre where she launched her critically acclaimed debut season in Autumn 2019 with a triumphant adaptation of A Doll’s House by Tanika Gupta.
She recently directed an acclaimed revival of Brian Friel’s Faith Healer at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. Her most recent collaboration with Gary Owen was on Romeo & Julie at the National Theatre which is currently in development for a film adaptation. She also directed the sold-out remount of Iphigenia in Splott at the Lyric, which was featured as one of The Guardian’s 50 best theatre shows of the 21st century and was Number 1 in The Guardian’s Top 10 Theatre Productions of 2022, Other Lyric shows include: co-directing the Lyric’s 2020 post covid reopening production Out West; Timberlake Wertenbaker’s seminal play Our Country’s Good, which saw Timberlake revisit the play for the first time; Love, Love, Love by Mike Bartlett, in the 10 year anniversary revival; Martin McDonagh’s The Beauty Queen of Leenane with Chichester Festival Theatre. Previously, she was Artistic Director and CEO of Sherman Theatre, Wales and transformed the venue which won The Stage’s Regional Theatre of the Year Award under her leadership. Directing credits include: the Olivier Award-winning Killology, Bird, The Cherry Orchard and Iphigenia in Splott. She was Artistic Director of Perth Theatre, Scotland between 2011 and 2014 and won The Critics’ Award for Theatre in Scotland for Best Director and Best Ensemble for The Seafarer by Conor McPherson. From 2002 to 2011, she co-founded and ran Ransom Productions in Northern Ireland. This year, she will direct End, by David Eldridge for the National Theatre.
On Stage
In rehearsals
Videos
