Lovers (play)
This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2015) |
Lovers is a 1967 play written by Irish playwright Brian Friel. Lovers is a play broken into two parts, "Winners" and "Losers".[1]
Winners
The first section of Lovers, titled "Winners" follows the story of two teenage lovers, Joseph Michael Brennan and Margaret Mary Enright - more commonly known as Joe and Mag respectively - who are due to be married in three weeks. However, Mag is also pregnant, which at the time Lovers was written was a major issue. Due to Mag falling pregnant with Joe's baby they are both asked to leave their schools out of disgrace for what they have done. In the play we find out that Joe's mother pleaded with the school to let Joe sit his exams, this is a very important theme as Joe - being the man - is expected to go, find work and provide for his family
The play is set atop hill with the simple premise of Mag and Joe revising for their exams. However, throughout the play they become distracted and talk on different subjects (much to Joe's annoyance) and through this we hear the further back story behind the characters.
The play ends with Mag and Joe finding a boat on the shore by a lake and deciding to take it out onto the lake. It is hinted by the narrators ("Man" and "Woman") during the play that Mag and Joe die at the end. This is found true when it turns out that both Lovers drowned. Whether this is an accident or murder or a suicide is not stated in the play.
Losers
Losers is a play about middle aged lovers, Hanna and Andy, who are trying to make a relationship while having Hanna's mother, Mrs Wilson, and Cissy, next door neighbour, watching them constantly. Mrs Wilson and Cissy are very
Productions
Lovers premiered at the Gate Theatre, Dublin Ireland in 1967.[2] The play was subsequently produced on Broadway at Vivian Beaumont Theatre (7/25/1968 - 11/30/1968) and then The Music Box Theatre (9/17/1968 - 11/30/1968). The production starred Art Carney, Anna Manahan, Fionnula Flanagan, Eamon Morrissey, Beulah Garrick and Grania O'Malley. The understudies were Blythe Danner and Vincent Dowling. The production was directed by Hilton Edwards with by Scenic Design by William Ritman; Costume Design by Noel Taylor; Lighting Design by Tharon Musser.[3]
Lovers received its second professional New York production in 2012, this time Off-Broadway by The Actors Company Theatre. The cast was James Riordan, Kati Brazda, Cameron Scoggins, Cynthia Darlow, Justine Salata, and Nora Chester.[4]
References
- ^ "Lovers: Winners & Losers". 18 May 2018.
- ^ "Couples stand the test of time". Independent.ie.
- ^ "Lovers – Broadway Play – Original | IBDB". Retrieved 29 December 2022.
- ^ Jones, Kenneth (24 August 2012). "Cameron Scoggins, James Riordan, Cynthia Darlow, Nora Chester and More Will Bring Brian Friel's Lovers to Life in NYC". Playbill.
- ^ Teachout, Terry (28 September 2012). "Love and Its Discontents" – via wsj.com.
- ^ Jaworowski, Ken (30 September 2012). "'Lovers' by Brian Friel at Beckett Theater" – via NYTimes.com.