Faith Healer

Synopsis

The play follows the travels to remote villages in the British Isles of faith healer Frank Hardy - part con-man, part genuine artist - his wife Grace, and his manager Teddy. As each character takes the stage, conflicting portraits of their life together are revealed. The dark secrets of their past are uncovered, culminating in a horrifying conclusion in Frank and Grace's Irish homeland.

Our Review:

Louise Ridley - 2 February 2011

Can faith straighten a crooked finger? Several characters see it happening, but Brian Friel’s 1979 play doesn’t answer this. Instead, it sets truth to one side and ruminates on what it is to witness love, loss and even miracles, and then retell them.

It is the story of Frank, also known as The Fantastic Francis Hardy, Faith Healer. An alcoholic Irishman, he travels Welsh and Irish villages claiming to cure the sick and disabled through his gift of faith. As his results range from non-existent to spectacular, he realises that people visit him not to be cured but for confirmation that they are incurable. It is this paradox of identity that fuels the play – Frank is never sure if he is a genius or a charlatan, and it tortures him.

And Friel doesn’t want us to be sure either. His elegant script pulls our sympathies this way and that through contradicting monologues from Frank and his two companions.

Against the backdrop of a desolate, faded hall with empty chairs dotted ar...

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Latest User Review

Susekins - 5 March 2011:

I found the whole thing extremely tedious and couldn't wait for it to end....

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