Synopsis

Brian Friel’s play, The Freedom of the City, takes place in Derry, Northern Ireland after a civil rights protest. The play begins with the investigation of the deaths of Lily, Michael, and Skinner, who were three marchers in a peaceful protest. These three marchers unknowingly escaped into the town hall, known as the Guildhall, and accidentally entered the Mayor’s Parlor in order to avoid a tear gas that the British soldiers released on the protesters. The three took refuge in the building until the streets had quieted. Soon after, there were reports of terrorists who had occupied the Guildhall. The play then begins to flash back to the hours the three spent in the mayor’s parlor prior to their deaths, explaining what really happened while the three were in the Guildhall. When the three misunderstood and unarmed protesters emerged from the building, they were immediately shot by British soldiers.

Act I

The act opens with the bodies of Michael, Lily, and Skinner being photographed and blessed by a priest. An ongoing investigation, featured throughout the act, begins with a constable describing the protest to a judge. In flashback, Skinner comes upon Lily and unknowingly shows her into the parlor in the Guildhall. He also rescues Michael and drags him into the parlor as well. When the three realize where they are, Skinner and Lily revel in the lavishness of the room, not comprehending the gravity of the situation. Michael is hesitant and resists joining Skinner's antics. At the end of the act, the protesters are warned that they are surrounded by British soldiers. The soldiers believe that the protesters are armed, and that they must leave the Guildhall or surrender their lives.

Act II

The second act begins with commentary from the judge, stating that he believes that the protesters specifically chose the Guildhall to take refuge in and that their intentions were insidious to begin with. Michael, Lily, and Skinner speak from after death, relaying their final thoughts before their deaths. The play then returns to the Guildhall where the three protesters are deciding whether or not to leave the parlor and face the soldiers outside. Michael insists that they leave as they were peaceful protesters and had done nothing wrong, while Skinner scoffs and determines that they may as well stay in the parlor since they would not make it out anyway. The audience does not see them leave the Guildhall, but rather a funeral that is held for the protesters. The play closes with the judge's verdict that the protesters were at fault and that the soldiers did not act without restraint when they gunned down Michael, Lily, and Skinner.