Three Plays After: The Yalta Game, The Bear, Afterplay (Faber Plays) - Softcover

Friel, Brian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0571217613 ISBN 13: 9780571217618

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003

Synopsis

Brian Friel explores the most Chekhovian of themes in his three new works inspired by the great Russian dramatist: the absurd realm which lies between perpetual hope and a penchant for self-destruction. Whether exploring the loneliness of an unhappy marriage (in The Yalta Game, based on Chekhov's story The Lady with the Lapdog), or imagining the bittersweet meeting of Sonya (Uncle Vanya's niece) and Andrei (the brother of a certain three sisters) in a new work inspired by characters from two Chekhov plays, Friel shows his own masterful range.

About this title

About the Author:

Brian Friel was born in Omagh, Co. Tyrone, in 1929. His plays include Philadelphia, Here I Come!, The Loves of Cass Maguire, Lovers, Freedom of the City, Volunteers, Living Quarters, Faith Healer, Dancing at Lughnasa, The Communication Cord, and Translations. In 1980 he founded the touring theatre company, Field Day, with Stephen Rea.

Review:

“Remarkable . . . Takes us close to the heart of Chekov.” ―Michael Billington, The Guardian

“Brian Friel has come up with an idea more marvellous yet; a world where a character from one Chekhov play meets a character from another, a real Moscow in the 1920s where the three sisters' brother, Andrei, meets Uncle Vanya's niece, Sonya. Afterplay is the finest production I have seen this year. . . . To say that I long to see these productions again is rank understatement.” ―Alastair Macaulay, Financial Times

“Friel's [The Bear] is superbly funny, vivid, keenly alert to Chekhov's modern sensitivities to gender issues. . . . [Afterplay is] is finest production I have seen this year.” ―Alastair Macaulay, Financial Times

“As an autumnal, middle-aged idyll, [Afterplay] is a little gem in Friel's output--a short story in 3-D--a total delight.” ―Michael Coveney, Daily Mail

“[Friel is] a mighty man, a mighty writer, and one of the world's great theater figures.” ―Frank McGuinness

About this edition

• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0571217613
• ISBN 13: 9780571217618
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 128