From '˜Derry Journal' of October 1991
Friel’s ‘Dancing’ a Broadway hit
Brian Friel’s ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ has been lauded by New York drama critics which will ensure it a long run on the prestigious Broadway circuit.
Based in an imaginary Co. Donegal town, Ballybeg, but strongly autobiographical - Friel’s mother hailed from the Glenties area - the highly acclaimed play has already received rave notices in both London and Dublin.
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Hide Ad‘New York Times’ critic, Frank Rich, one of the so-called “Butchers of Broadway,” who can make or break stage plays, hailed ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ a masterpiece.
A number of other notoriously hard-to-please critics praised the work as “overwhelmingly powerful” with “brilliant acting.”
Several months ago, the play was performed at Glenties Comprehensive School as part of the Magill Summer School with most of the actors and actresses from the Broadway run taking part.
Brian Friel, a former schoolteacher, was born in the Omagh district, raised in Derry City and now lives in Greencastle in Co. Donegal.
Magee to tackle Polish housing
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Hide AdMagee College in Derry, with support from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, is negotiating with the Polish Government in a bid to set up a programme aimed at tackling Poland’s severe housing crisis.
Such a move would put Magee’s acclaimed housing studies degree in the international map.
The University of Ulster’s local campus forged links with the East European country several months ago when it became apparents Magee’s housing expertise could play a major role in overcoming Poland’s acute housing shortage and a lack of proper accommodation.
Radio Altnagelvin goes ‘on air’
Derry is to get a new radio station when ‘Radio Altnagelvin’ goes on air.
The BBC’s Gerry Anderson will host the first programme.