Two Writers. Friends and Rivals. Tom Connelly, who lives with his concert pianist wife, Daisy, in the wilds of Donegal, is a highly gifted writer suffering from writer’s block. Garret Fitzmaurice is a commercially successful, insecure, and highly prolific novelist, who is married to the acidly funny Gráinne. Each wife has given up her own potential to further their husband’s careers. David Knight, a literary critic, has recently purchased Garret’s manuscripts for a large sum of money for a deep-pocketed American university to add to their new collection of works by Irish writers. David now has it in his power to relieve the Connelly’s considerable financial problems, brought on by Tom’s writer’s block and the severe mental illness of their only daughter, by buying Tom’s manuscripts. While David is examining Tom’s work, Daisy’s parents, Maggie and Jack, have come for a visit. Maggie was a brilliant doctor and Jack is a cocktail pianist and kleptomaniac who has spent time in prison for theft. There is to be a party at The Connelly’s this afternoon, at which David will reveal his decision. To buy or not to buy? That is the question. And who will be offered the bigger sum? This lesser-known show by Brian Friel is rich, witty, intelligent, and moving. Not to be missed!
“A timeless play that understands that life may be more about asking the questions than finding the answers” –The New York Daily News
“Gripping, thanks to the nasty and funny fury of Friel’s language.” –USA today