Home Free!
Written by Lanford Wilson
Directed by Geoffrey O'Keefe
Performed in:
- Ramor Theatre, Virginia, Co Cavan - Sun 6 Nov 2005
- Bog Lane Theartre, Ballymahon, Co Longford - Sun 13 Nov 2005
- Little Theatre, Skerries, Co Dublin - Fri 18 Nov 2005
- Institute of Technology Theatre, Cork City - Sat 19 Nov 2005
- Haulbowline Naval Base Theatre, Cork - Sun 20 Nov 2005
The play chosen as the Balally Players' entry for the One Act Festival in 2005, was called 'Home Free!' written by the American playwright, Lanford Wilson. Director Geoffrey O'Keefe was invited to present the play in the five locations (above) during November 2005.
In addition to these Festival dates, 'Home Free!' was performed as part of an evening of 3 one-act plays presented by Baileboro Drama Group in the Ramor Theatre, Virginia, Co Cavan on Saturday 29 October 2005.
The production took first place in the One Act Festival in Cork on Saturday 19 November. The Best Actor and Best Actress awards went to Gary Murphy and Caroline Power respectively for their performances. The previous night in Skerries, Co Dublin, the play won second place.
Caroline, Gary and Geoffrey at a break during a Sunday afternoon rehearsal in Queen of Angels School
The writer and the play
Lanford Wilson
Born on April 13, 1937, in Lebanon, Missouri, Lanford Wilson began writing at the University of Chicago in 1959 after enrolling in a playwriting class. Upon graduation, he moved to New York City where he soon became involved with a group of theatrical artists at the Café Cino, one of many tiny coffeehouses Off-Off-Broadway that presented edgy, avant-garde works. Wilson served not only as playwright, but also as director, actor and designer. His first play, So Long at the Fair, was produced at the Café Cino in 1963.
The Play
Another of Wilson's scripts to be produced at the café was the one-act entitled Home Free! (1964) which revolves around the relationship of two incestuous siblings.
Lawrence and Joanna, a brother and sister in their mid-twenties, live in a fantasy world, cut off from the outside world with two imaginary companions. The atmosphere is one of mixed and confused emotions skillfully sketched in words of joy and sadness, humour and pathos where play and real life are one and the same - until reality intrudes.
| Lawrence Joanna |
Gary Murphy Caroline Power |
| Director Stage Manager Asst Stage Manager Set Design Lighting Design Costume Design |
Geoffey O'Keeffe Patrick Hand Jean Monahan Gerard Bourke Noel Hogan Dympna Murray |