Friel’s classic remains as compelling as ever

A simple country kitchen set is filled with domestic drudgery as the women try to turn three eggs into dinner for eight

Dancing At Lughnasa performed by Lyric Theatre, Belfast. Pic: Ros Kavanagh

Dancing At Lughnasa

By Brian Friel

Directed by Annabelle Comyn

Gaiety Theatre; until October 11

Rating:*****

Reviewed by Andrew Lynch

When Brian Friel died last week, a headline in one British newspaper described him as the “Dancing at Lughnasa playwright”. Friel’s semi-autobiographical drama of a 1930s Donegal childhood may or may not be his best work (Translations and Faith Healer also have strong claims), but it is clearly his best-loved. This new production ...