As @trpw commented during the interval, Philadelphia, Here I Come is cast with all the Irish actors that aren't working on the HBO series of mega fantasy drama Game of Thrones, currently filming its third series in Northern Ireland.

Of course that was a joke and isn't in anyway to suggest that the acting talent on Thursday, for the first preview of Brian Friel's play, were any less than exemplary because they were all fantastic and who'd want to be running around a hill side with sword anyway?

Philadelphia is a fine play with a nice theatrical device through which much of its humour is derived. Gar is leaving his Irish backwater to go and live in Philadelphia with an aunt and uncle. It's the night before he is due to leave and he has to face his past loves and losses, his family history and an aloof father. 

But Gar isn't alone or at least we get to see two sides to him, his public persona played by Paul Reid and his private persona played by Rory Keenan. While Gar in Public is introverted and respectful, unable to tell those important to him how he feels and ask the questions he's always wanted to ask, Gar in Private is extrovert, irreverent and revealing.