by Tony Annicone
The opening show in 2023 at GAMM Theatre is the 1979 “Faith Healer” by the acclaimed Irish author Brian Friel, who also wrote “Translations” and “Dancing at Lughnasa.” This play deals with a faith healer, his wife and his stage manager, whose stories are told by each character from their vantage point and the audience learns there is a deep dark secret hidden in their relationships. The story is told in lyrical monologues about Francis Hardy’s performances and about a terrible event that shaped all that happened afterwards. Making her U.S. debut as a director is Donnla Hughes who originally hails from Ireland. She directs this show with a firm and steady hand. She completely understands the way that Friel writes these characters and has her performers bring out the inner workings of the three of them, so the audience grasps things completely during each of their monologues. The three characters are Frank Hardy, the faith healer, his wife or mistress, Grace Hardy and his manager, Teddy. They capture the memory and humanity of their situation in a beautiful and unique way which wins them a resounding standing ovation at the close of the show.
This show is a memory play that replays the same events from different perspectives. Tony Estrella plays Frank Hardy who brings his faith healing from town to town in Ireland, Scotland and Wales with varying results. Does he really cure these people or is it for his own good? Friel weaves two clever monologues together for Frank Hardy. The first is at the start of Act 1 where he describes that he is bringing hope to the hopeless but is also filled with despair about whether his gift is real or not. He remembers his mother’s favorite song “How You Look Tonight” when he finds out she passed away and his father doesn’t recognize him. He yearns for a human connection to ease his pain. The second one is the closer of this show where Tony Estrella commands the stage in this role while running the gamut of emotions in doing so as this heavy drinking man. One of the highlights is the night Frank cured 10 people in Wales but he is downhearted because he is trading in the misery of others. The audience is left to figure out what happens at the end of the show when Francis confronts them at last.
Jeanine Kane plays Grace, Frank’s long suffering companion for many years. She is brilliant in this role. Her hand shaking as she lights her cigarette or when she pours a drink for herself, displaying the despair all the years have brought her is well done. Grace is upset at his egotistical outbursts at her, and she also describes the same stories in a different manner. She is bitter and sarcastic at his ill treatment of her all these years and the audience comes to understand her reasoning on these matters. Jeanine’s Irish accent is flawless.
Brandon Whitehead as Teddy brings a comic touch to his role. His Cockney accent is fantastic and his carefree attitude of whether you believe him or not is splendid, too. This promoter of Frank tells his side of the story, and the audience has to decide who to believe. His description of actors having brains, ambition and no brains is hilarious as is his story about Rob Roy, a dog who did many tricks for years until he died of exhaustion. His description of what the dog did to his female counterparts is very funny, too. Brandon leaves you laughing merrily for most of his monologue but there is a sudden turn that rips your heart out. So, for a well-directed and well-acted show, be sure to get tickets for this show at www.gammtheatre.org It only runs for two weeks, so make sure you aren’t left out of witnessing another stunning performance at Gamm Theatre. Welcome to the United States, Donnla and we look forward to more of your splendid work in the future.
FAITH HEALER (12 to 29 January)
GAMM Theatre, 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI
1(401)723-4266
