One of the main highlights of our 2014 drama programme is the Abbey’s latest revival of the John B Keane classic Sive.
First produced by the Abbey Theatre in 1985, the original 1959 production was presented by the Listowel Amateur Drama Group at Walsh’s Ballroom in Kerry on 2nd February 1959. It immediately struck a chord with audiences for its intimate yet unromantic view of life in rural Ireland.
After winning the All-Ireland Drama Festival that year, the production was invited into the Abbey Theatre for 6 performances in May of the same year. This tradition of inviting a play from the All Ireland Drama Festival continues today.
The first of John B. Keane’s plays to be produced by the Abbey Theatre, Sive was presented in a new two-act version directed by Ben Barnes in 1985. The production was revived the following year. Sive was last produced at the Abbey Theatre in 1993, followed by a national tour of the production in 1994.
This latest revival under the capable direction of Conall Morrison has already been seen by more than 30,000 people during its sellout run at the Abbey.
‘a deeply moving performance’ – Irish Independent
‘a memorable drama’ – The Herald
‘engrossing and entertaining’ – The Sunday Business Post
‘an explosive, searing revival’ – Sunday Independent
‘a gripping production’ – The Sunday Times
Sive tells the story of a beautiful young woman who lives with her aunt and uncle in rural Kerry. Seán Dóta, an elderly farmer, offers the local match-maker Thomasheen Seán Rua a large sum for her hand in marriage. Will this be too much for her aunt and uncle to resist?
Cast: Barry Barnes, Muiris Crowley, Gavin Drea, Deirdre Molloy, Bríd Ní Neachtain, Simon O’Gorman, Róisín O’Neill, Frank O’Sullivan and Derry Power.
Performance schedule
Tues 21 to Sat 25 October at 8pm, matinees on Thur at 11am and Saturday at 2.30pm
Tickets: €25/€25, matinees €20/€15
Special offers: 10% group discount (applicable to groups with 10 or more people), Senior Citizen groups €18 (applicable to groups with 10 or more people), school bookings for matinees €13 per pupil. For group bookings contact the box office directly on 074 912 0777.
