By Tracy Hawkins
Ah, the Irish. They can make you laugh; they can make you cry, and Brian Friel’s “Faith Healer” makes you wonder. Watching this memory play of monologues requires a certain amount of faith that one will get the truth out of the contradicting stories told by the three characters.
Frank Hardy, with his manager Teddy, and his wife Grace, travels Scotland and Wales performing in old barns, forgotten churches and town halls. Always in small villages, lest they draw too much attention, their travels eventually lead them to Frank and Grace’s native Ireland. Frank has a gift of healing – sometimes. The tragedy is that it doesn’t always work, as well as what happens after it doesn’t. Frank tells you the story of how it all came to be, and what lead to a tragedy that is left to the imagination. Grace and Teddy have their say as well, but the stories all vary considerably. And when Frank has the last word, the trio’s own tragedy is turned on its head.
Anthony Lawton as Teddy in Lantern Theater Company’s production of “Faith Healer” by Brian Friel, directed by Peter DeLaurier, on stage now through March 3, 2024. Photo by Mark Garvin
Ian Merrill Peakes portrays Frank as the charmer such a character would have to be. A cad and grifter he may be, but you can see why Grace would love him (and be frustrated by him). Geneviève Perrier gives a poignant and heart-breaking performance as Grace, recounting the joys (few and far between) and sorrows (many). Anthony Lawton as Frank’s cockney manager provides a good deal of the laughs of the evening, but also the pathos of the outsider who thought he was an insider. I am often skeptical of accents, but I commend all three actors for their authenticity.
Director Peter DeLaurier has brought this quiet, tragic and beautiful play to the stage with a loving and gentle touch, allowing Friel’s words to gather the audience into their world. It’s not often that one can appreciate the seamlessness of how the set (Nick Embree), sound (Elizabeth Atkinson) and lighting (Lily Fossner) so perfectly complement the performances – very well done.
If you go: The performance is two hours and 30 minutes, with one intermission. The show runs through March 3, tickets are available at www.lanterntheater.org. It must be said: the Lantern’s seats are uncomfortable. I unashamedly take a small pillow to sit on when I go. I commend the Lantern for putting all of their money on the stage – it shows. But I’d like to shake the hand of the donor that will give them the money to buy new seating.