Rating:  - Beauty Translates Itself
I felt moved to add a review of Translations after reading several of the reviews other readers have left. Brian Friel has a feel for language that is nothing short of miraculous. This play in particular is a delicate and wonderful portrait of the universality of human experience. If you care enough to read these reviews you owe it to yourself to read this play. I am a long time admirer of Mr. Friel and I saw a remarkable production of this play in London several years ago. There are times - rare times - when a person leaves a theater and doesn't feel the ground under his feet because of the transport of the experience. That was one such performance, and this is that fine a play.
Rating:  - Stimulating, thought-provoking and very human
Firstly, unlike many of the other reviews, I shall refer to this work by what it is - a PLAY! Half of the genius of Friels' writing can only be appreciated on stage, when performed by talented actors! Friel masterfully combines humour and tragedy, which results in a totally encapsulating play. For anyone at a loss of understanding when the troubles in Ireland are referred to, this play goes a way towards educating the audience as to the origins of the unrest. Read it, but if possible see it!
Rating: - Seeing is Believing
I had the privilege of performing in this play, and I must say that it is one of the most unspeakably beautiful pieces of theatre I have ever read. It challenges the reader/actor with its language, seduces him/her with its emotional power, and teaches an amazing lesson of love and change. I think it must be seen to be appreciated, but every time I read it I am staggered by its intelligence and poetry. (I did see a terrible production of it on Broadway, but a true interpretation of the play reveals it to be the masterpiece it is.)
Rating: - That Good, I Directed the Play
Over the past few nights I have directed this play at my college. I am studying the book as part of my English 'A' Level course, and you'd think I'd get bored of it, but no, I love this book. Being Irish, I feel that it captures the very essence of Irish culture, and the hatred portrayed by Manus toward the English soldiers, is caught so well by Friel. Definitive and Encapsulating, I love this story. Tragedy or no, it's one of the best books I have read about the fall of one's culture through Language. It challenges the typical stereotype of the Irish, and shows how pompus the English could be! BUY IT!
Rating:  - Brian Friel should be forced to eat every copy published!
What the hell was he thinking?! the book is as exciting as a German film festival - and makes as much sense! The play starts in the middle of nowhere, spends several acts going nowhere, and finishes(so I'm told, though I fell asleep 1/2 way through) at exactly the same point at which it started.Friel should be crucified.
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