Storytellers: Philadelphia, Here I Come! 

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Philadelphia, Here I Come!

BBC Radio Ulster - Storytellers, Philadelphia, Here I Come!, Episode 3

Gar tries to speak to his father before he has to leave for America.

Still conflicted about his decision to emigrate, Gar attempts to speak openly with S.B. before he has to depart in the morning.



As part of the BBC’s effort to provide educational support in lockdown, we bring you G.C.S.E. English Literature text ‘Philadelphia, Here I Come!’ by Brian Friel. Adapted for radio by the author and originally broadcast in 1984, here abridged in three parts for BBC Radio Ulster.
Fed up with the dreary round of life in Ballybeg, with his uncommunicative father and the humiliating job in his father's grocery shop, with his frustrated love for Kathy Doogan who married a richer, more successful young man and with the total absence of prospect and opportunity in his life at home, Gareth O'Donnell has accepted his aunt's invitation to come to Philadelphia. Now, on the eve of his departure, he is not happy to be leaving Ballybeg.

The Author
Born in County Tyrone, Brian Friel was a dramatist, short story writer and founder of the Field Day Theatre Company. A prolific writer, who produced more than 30 plays in a career spanning six decades, his best-known works include Faith Healer, Translations and Dancing at Lughnasa. 



Storytellers: Philadelphia, Here I Come!

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1964 play by Brian Friel, adapted for radio by the author. Originally broadcast in 1984.

GCSE English Literature set text by Irish dramatist Brian Friel. This 1964 play was adapted for radio by the author and originally broadcast in 1984.

As part of the BBC’s effort to provide educational support in lockdown, we bring you GCSE English Literature text ‘Philadelphia, Here I Come!’ by Brian Friel. Adapted for radio by the author and originally broadcast in 1984, here abridged in three parts for BBC Radio Ulster.

Fed up with the dreary round of life in Ballybeg, with his uncommunicative father and the humiliating job in his father's grocery shop, with his frustrated love for Kathy Doogan who married a richer, more successful young man and with the total absence of prospect and opportunity in his life at home, Gareth O'Donnell has accepted his aunt's invitation to come to Philadelphia. Now, on the eve of his departure, he is not happy to be leaving Ballybeg.

The Author
Born in County Tyrone, Brian Friel was a dramatist, short story writer and founder of the Field Day Theatre Company. A prolific writer, who produced more than 30 plays in a career spanning six decades, his best-known works include Faith Healer, Translations and Dancing at Lughnasa. 


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