Philadelphia, Here I Come! centres on a young Irishman, Gar O'Donnell, on the eve of his departure for Philadelphia. Gar is presented to us as two individual characters, played by two different actors, representing his Public and Private selves.
Public Gar is the man who is seen and who interacts with the other characters in the play. Private Gar represents Gar's inner thoughts and feelings and he can interact only with Public Gar.
As the evening unfolds and through a series of flashbacks, memories and present action, we learn of his conflicting feelings about leaving Ballybeg, which represents for him both that which he detests and that which he loves.
George Heslin, who appeared with Brendan in the play, would go on to found the Origin Theatre in New York.
Character: Private Gareth O'Donnell (Gar) |
Playwright |
Director: |
Venue: |
Additional Cast: |
Status: |
King's Head Theatre Programme
Wyndham's Theatre Programme
Photos
"Double or quits: Paul Taylor on Brian Friel's Philadelphia, Here I Come! at Wyndhams"
By Paul Taylor/ The Independent
Coyle has the brilliant knack of being able to stay cool and above-it-all, while being hilariously antic...
Reviews
"Review of Philadelphia, Here I Come!"
By Staff/City Limits Magazine
Brian Friel's study of social and spiritual paralysis remains as affecting as when it was written three decades ago...