Here is a concept statement that our director, Jamie Cheatham, has written. Enjoy!
Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel
Director’s Thoughts by Jamie Cheatham
Dancing at Lughnasa is a ‘memory play’. It transports us back to Donegal, Ireland in the summer of 1936. The memory belongs to Michael Evans, the narrator, who was 7 at that time.
Why this memory? This is the last summer when Michael’s family was together. After this summer we find out that two of his aunts leave and some characters die. This memory is a harkening back to a time of family and unity, underscored by an awareness that this time might not last.
The story is not a linear narrative, but rather a snapshot of this family’s last days together; at times happy and carefree. At other times, characters either reminisce about the past or worry about a future that holds more trouble than they seem to suspect. To me this play is a tug of war between the past, the present and the future. The few times when characters are really ‘in the present’ are when they are dancing. Perhaps, if they knew then, what Michael knows now about their futures, they would have spent more time appreciating these moments. This is perhaps one of the main lessons of the play.
What else is unique about this moment? The household of Mundy sisters lacks men. Jack has been away Michael’s entire life; Gerry is mostly absent, and while mother is referred to, there is no mention of father. This summer marks an instance in Michael’s life surrounded by women, when the two men in his family enter briefly into his world.
This summer epitomizes a transition too from a strict moral code to one in transition (but filled by doubts). Catholic doctrine is challenged throughout the script by “pagan notions”. Order is challenged by chaos. Ultimately, all decorum gives way when dancing begins!
Finally, this is also a play about unfulfilled hopes and dreams. The story is a bittersweet one. We sympathize with these characters not for their losses but because of their strength.
This quote reminds me a lot of how I think Brian Friel wants us to feel when we leave the theatre:
“Dance like there's nobody watching,
Love like you'll never be hurt.
Sing like there's nobody listening,
And live like it's heaven on earth.”
- William W. Purkey
