A tender tale of a bitter harvest

Set in Ireland’s County Donegal in August 1936, Brian Friel’s Dancing At Lughnasa, is a ‘memory’ play, told from the point of view of Michael Evans, who recounts summer in his aunts’ cottage when he was seven years old.

The story takes place during a few late summer days when love briefly seems possible for three of the Mundy sisters and the family welcomes home the frail elder brother Jack, who has returned from a life as a missionary in Africa.

Described by the Talisman team as “tender, humorous, robust and poignant in his characterisations”, writer Brian Friel draws us into the pattern of the women’s daily lives.

The play takes place in early August, around the festival of Lughnasa - the Celtic festival of the first fruits, when the harvest is welcomed.

But the harvest is bitter for the Mundy sisters - a time for them to reap what has been sown.

It is not clear though whether this is a semi-autobiographical piece, but Friel dedicates it to the “wonderful Glenties women” and the narrator seems to wear many of the author’s clothes.

The Talisman’s Ann Brooks brings an experienced hand to the helm as director, while the five Mundy sisters are played by Sarah Campbell, Emily Tuff, Eleanor Adams, Caroline Maggs and Fay Staton.

The show runs from Monday April to Saturday April 28 at 7:30pm each evening. Tickets cost between £6 and £8.50 and are available by calling 856548.