Philadelphia, Here I Come

Philadelphia Here I Come! is an acknowledged classic of modern drama and with it Brian Friel made his reputation. A beautifully crafted work, it is concerned with the dilemma of a disillusioned young man Gar O’Donnell on his last night before setting out for America on the invitation of his aunt. As the hours pass he is assailed by memories and images which crowd into his mind and leave him weak and faltering in the face of his momentous decision. Questions which have obsessed him over the years are brought into sharp focus: What kind of woman was his mother who died two days after his birth? Why did she marry his shopkeeper father, who was years her senior instead of the local schoolmaster? What went wrong with his own relationship with his former girlfriend who decided to marry someone else higher up the social ladder. But above all, he is burdened by the lack of communication between himself and his father, something he attempts to address on this, his final night at home.
  >> Splòdar theatre company, The Glens Centre Manorhamilton have produced this play in previous years with Patrick Mc Eneaney playing Gar private. Patrick is in the director role for this production. The pivotal roles of Gar Private and Gar Public are played by Tim Squire and Diarmuid Woods , both graduates of The Performing Arts in A.T.U. Prin Duignan who previously directed this play takes on the role of S.B. O Donnell, Gar’s father. Mary Daly who impressed in the role of Nelly Nora in Splòdar’s production of Eclipsed plays Madge.