Friel Reimagined is a drama research and engagement project based at the School of Arts, English and Languages at Queen’s University Belfast, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Steel Charitable Trust. The project explores the creative process behind five of Brian Friel’s best-known plays: Philadelphia, Here I Come!, The Freedom of the City, Faith Healer, Translations, and Dancing at Lughnasa.

As part of the Illustrators-in-Residence Programme, five illustrators from Ireland and Northern Ireland were invited to respond to one of these plays. I was chosen to illustrate The Freedom of the City, first produced in 1973. The play is set in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 1970, following a civil rights march. It tells the story of three protesters who, after the demonstration, accidentally take shelter in the mayor’s parlour in the Guildhall, with tragic consequences.

In my illustrations, I aimed to capture the tense atmosphere and political urgency of the play, focusing on restrained colour choices, stark compositions, and strong contrasts. The illustrations were created digitally, with an emphasis on mood and structure rather than literal depiction, reflecting the play’s exploration of injustice, misunderstanding, and power.

These illustrations will be used to help introduce Friel’s work to broader audiences through digital content, public events, and an archival exhibition presented by Queen’s University Belfast.

You can learn more about the project here and here
View the exhibition information here.