Drama Circle Presents “Sive”

Sligo Drama Circle now in its 54th year, will present John B. Keane’s “Sive” from October 27th to the 30th inclusive. Directed by Fintan Whelan and set against the harsh poverty and difficult times of the 1950’s, the play tells the story of a young 18 year old girl Sive, who lives with her uncle, his mother and his bitter wife. A local scheming matchmaker decides that Sive should marry a man who is rich but old and haggard. Sive is in love with a young man but the matchmaker convinces Sive’s uncle and his wife to agree to the marriage for the sum of  £200 so Sive is forced to do their will even though her Nanna doesn’t approve. This tragic story is both powerful and provocative and has become established as part of Ireland’s theatrical canon.

The story of Sive is one which will stay with you long after the curtain closes. The reality of the situation in rural Ireland forced many couples to use the services of a local Matchmaker in order to ward off the loneliness of life in the not too distant past, and one which may have been motivated financially, as in the case of Sive, to bring the families from their lives of abject poverty. This was only brought about by long negotiations with the Matchmaker who always did well from any deal of marriage. This story is one which was inspired by real life events for the author John. B. Keane.

The play brings together a strong cast, most of whom have a long history of Drama Circle productions including Ann Marie Byrne, Ultan Burke, Gerry Ryan, Pat Sweeney, Michael Leyden, Liam Cunningham and newcomers to the Sligo Drama Circle but familiar faces from Sligo’s stages, Emily Treacy, Paul Quinn and Gerry Sheerin.

from The Sligo Champion, October 27th, 2010