Faith Healer by Irish playwright Brian Friel is not what you might expect from the title. While the “Fantastic Francis Hardy” (Lewis Wynne-Jones) supposedly has an on-again-off-again healing touch, the audience never actually sees him in action. Instead, the story of life in Frank’s (AKA Francis) itinerant show is told in monologues by three terrific actors, from three very different points of view. Chloe Hung is Grace, Frank’s wife of many years who has been destroyed by her husband’s indifference and cruelty. (As an example, in Frank’s version of reality, he insists that Grace is merely his mistress.) Griffin McInnes is Teddy, Frank’s Cockney manager. Teddy, a funny little man who sees both humour and pathos in everything, is a stalwart friend who has put up with years of neglect, perhaps because he is a little in love with both Grace and Frank. Frank, as played by Wynne-Jones, oozes a seductive charm as well as a deep-seated self-doubt. This play requires more than the ability to listen. Come prepared to hear, and you will be amply rewarded.
When: Through January 23
Where: KTS Redroom on the second floor of the New Academic Building on King's College Campus 6350 Coburg
Price: $5/$7
