“Dancing as release and entrance to suppressed + almost forgotten truths”

Quote

What is vaguely forbidden?

In this note towards Dancing at Lughnasa (1990) dated 30 May 1989, Friel asks himself whether dance might be a means of expressing as-yet unidentified taboos.

Related Manuscript

Has language failed these people?

The idea that words are not enough was something that followed Friel through his writing career, and informed many of his most well-known plays.

The Creative Process

So what is surfacing (rehearsal), 25 February 2020

This is a version of Jessie Keenan’s live dance improvisation to audio she recorded in response to the question ‘So what is surfacing?’, adapted from a phrase written by Brian Friel during the composition process for Dancing at Lughnasa (1990).

Related Manuscript

It doesn't matter if the rains come

This note was written by Brian Friel during the composition process for Dancing at Lughnasa (1990). Many of Friel’s notes explore the significance of the play’s various dances and what it is they might be expressing.

Related Manuscript

Don't think in elegiac tones.

In this note, we see the reappearance of Friel’s mantra: ‘Don’t anticipate the ending.’

Portrait: Marion Cronin

Marion Cronin is a dance artist based in Dublin, Ireland.