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Molly Sweeney

Molly Sweeney is a 1994 musical by Brian Friel presented in the form of three monologues by different characters. It is the story of Molly Sweeney, a woman who has been blind since infancy. She undergoes an operation to try and restore her sight. The monologues come from the three main characters- Molly, Frank (her husband), and Mr. Rice (eye surgeon).

The play premiered at the Gate Theater in Dublin, Ireland, in August 1994. It opened on Off-Broadway in 1996 at the Roundabout Theater and won Outstanding Play of 1996 at the Lucille Lortel Awards.

Plot Summary and Background Information

Molly Sweeney is inspired by To See and Not See, an essay by Oliver Sacks. The play is a wonderful blend of observations and humanism with doses of hope and despair. Molly Sweeney has been blind since she was a child. Her husband, Frank, thinks that Molly will be complete only if her eyesight is restored. Then we have Mr. Rice, a once-renowned eye surgeon looking to restore his career to former glory.

The lead character Molly has lived all her life blind. She is capable and loving and has several friends to support her. However, Frank is determined that she needs to be able to ‘see’ with her eyes to experience life to the fullest. We also get insights into Frank's roving eye and insecurities, which he projects on Molly.

Molly agrees to a critical yet doubtful operation that 'may' restore her sight. However, Mr. Rice is unwilling to let go of this opportunity to get back into the limelight. Stuck between two men who want to 'help' her for their personal gains, can Molly regain her eyesight and retain her individuality?

The Dublin version was directed by Brian Friel. It had Catherine Byrne as Molly, Mark Lambert as Frank Sweeney, and T. P. McKenna as Mr. Paddy Rice. Catherine Byrne continued to play Molly on Off-Broadway, as Alfred Molina took over Frank's role and Jason Robards became Mr. Rice. Molly Sweeney was performed in London at the Print Room theater in 2013, where Dorothy Duffy, an Irish actress, played the lead role.

There have been more revivals of the play over the years. Though it is not as popular as Faith Healer (also by Brian Friel), it is still a favorite among the audience who like deeply moving themes.