the freedom of the city

By Brian Friel

Directed by Joan Bryans

Jericho Arts Centre: May 3 - 19, 2024

When the police disrupt a peaceful civil rights protest, three unarmed strangers, a middle-aged mother, Lily – and two young men – seek refuge from the mayhem.  Unbeknownst to them they are branded as terrorists and their position used to everyone's advantage except their own.   Brian Friel’s hard hitting examination of the nature of power is as relevant as we look at Gaza today as it was during the Troubles of Northern Ireland.

Yet, while their situation as they hide out is dire, the unsuspecting trio amuse themselves, and us, in true Irish fashion.  As Lily says of their meeting,  “Lord, I enjoyed that. The craic was good. Wasn't the craic good?”

(“Craic” = Irish for  gossip, fun, entertainment, and enjoyable conversation.)

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The Freedom of the City runs at:
Jericho Arts Centre: May 3-19, 2024,
Thurs - Sat at 8 pm, Sundays at 2 pm.
Talk back night: Thursday May 9th.

Tickets $35/30 are available at:

Preview only - tickets $15 available at the door.

Reservations:  604-224-8007, ext 3 .

CAST

Geneva Perkins (Lily)
Liam McCulley (Skinner)
Isaac Andrew (Michael)
with Pat Bahrich, Christopher Brown, Claudia Golombiewski, Daryl Hutchings, Matt Loop, Ben McGrattan, Allyson Riley, Devan Vancise, Sam Walmsley-Byrne

DIRECTION:

Director - Joan Bryans
Assistant Director - Liz Connors
Musical Director - Frances Herzer

DESIGN:

Set - Todd Parker, ass. Gena Kolson; Lighting - Jack Mosher; Costume - Jordon Chambers; Sound - Josh Osborne; Properties- Barbara Walsh

Military advisor - Gordon Law

Stage Management - Andy Sandberg

Producers - Nancy Caldwell & Joan Bryans