From Donegal to Dakar: Brian Friel’s Translations reimagined for Senegalese stages

Embassy Dakar, Ireland’s newest diplomatic mission in Africa, has been delighted to work on a cultural project that saw Brian Friel’s ‘Translations’ brought to the stage in Senegal for the first time.

The performance of Friel’s work, considered a contemporary classic of Irish theatre, provided the opportunity to strengthen cultural connections between Ireland and Senegal and give expression to shared experiences related to the impact of colonialism and the importance of identity, language and community – themes that continue to echo both in Ireland and in countries across Africa.

Forging connections through culture

For Ireland in Senegal, the staging of ‘Translations’ provided the opportunity to communicate with new audiences and underline that, notwithstanding our geographic distance, our two countries share many historical and cultural experiences.

There are many similarities between the national characters of Ireland and Senegal. We are both situated at the western edge our respective continents with a post-colonial history. We are both global-facing countries that have an Atlantic perspective and a shared experience of migration and close relationships with our global diasporas.

A shared and profound appreciation of culture

Ireland and Senegal share a profound appreciation of culture as an expression of our national identity. In particular, our proud traditions of storytelling, whether through song, dance, drama, film or literature.

As we look at that heritage, through Brian Friel’s Translations, set in rural Ireland in the 19th century, it serves as a reminder of the power of words and language in connecting past with present.

Watching the premiere performance of Translations in Senegal, Hugues Diaz, Director of Arts at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism says:

“The arts are one of the most powerful vehicles for bringing peoples and cultures together. The play Translations, performed in Dakar, skilfully and intelligently highlighted the many historical, linguistic, and human connections between Ireland and Senegal, demonstrating the power of theatre to build lasting bridges between our societies.”

Bringing Brian Friel to the stage in Senegal

Embassy Dakar worked with an established Senegalese based theatre production group, BRRR Production, to bring ‘Translations’ to the stage in Senegal.

According to Berengere Brooks, Director of BRRR Production, performing the play in Senegal was not always a straightforward task. Using the French translation of Friel’s text, rich with 19th century language and colloquial Irish references, was sometimes difficult. However, the team of 10 actors worked for four sessions a week in the first month to master the text.

West African flourishes

While Translations in Senegal used the French version of Friel’s script, the production incorporated a number of West African elements such as combining traditional Irish music with the peuhl flute and djema drums. The costumes and set design interwove both Irish and West African fabrics and influences.

For the Senegalese cast, Friel’s play resonated deeply: “I was really surprised to learn that Ireland, a European country, had also experienced colonisation,” says David Diémé, who played Owen.

Ass Niang, who plays hedge schoolmaster Hugh says the play ‘’addresses experiences felt throughout almost all of Africa. It is as if the play is written for today.’’

At the official premiere held in Senegal’s national Daniel Sorano theatre, attended by over 250 official guests, theatre Director Ms Oumy Diakhaté noted the strong shared parallels between Ireland and Senegal highlighted through the themes of the play.

Cultural dialogue and expression

The premiere performance was complemented by a tour of the production in five universities and education institutions in Dakar. The tour of universities and schools included the opportunity to reach new audiences and involved the facilitation of an exchange with students following each performance.

These discussions provided an opportunity for honest and thoughtful dialogue based on shared historical experience and relevance to contemporary connections between Ireland and Senegal.

As noted by Soxna Aminata Fall, student at the Lycée Mariama Ba on the historic Gorée Island: “As well as demonstrating the historical similarities between Ireland and Senegal and with countries in Africa more generally, the play emphasises the importance of culture as an expression of identity and values.”

First performed in the Guildhall in Derry in 1980, the warm reception to Brian Friel’s ‘Translations’ by new audiences in Senegal demonstrated the continued importance of cultural experience in strengthening new relationships and the ongoing relevance of Irish artistic expression worldwide, from Donegal to Dakar.

Embassy Dakar's production of Brian Friel’s Translations was made possible through the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and in collaboration with BRRR Production and Senegal’s Ministry of Culture, Artisanal and Tourism.