Renowned Irish play set to be performed in Kilkenny

This November, Barnstorm Theatre Company brings the acclaimed Irish classic Sive by John B. Keane to the stage of Watergate Theatre, promising a powerful theatrical experience for audiences of all ages.

Performances will run from November 19 to 22, making this an unmissable event across the region.

Set against the backdrop of rural Ireland, John B. Keane’s masterpiece, Sive, tells a searing tale of greed, manipulation, and the clash between tradition and the dreams of youth. Sive, a vulnerable young girl, finds herself at the heart of a spiralling family drama when a matchmaker and scheming relatives arrange her marriage to an elderly man, against her wishes. This poignant play explores themes of autonomy, love, and societal pressure, offering a gripping narrative that resonates with contemporary audiences.

Sive is the latest show of Barnstorm’s Curriculum Play Live series, which started in 2016 with Translations by Brian Friel, and has continued with other classics such as The Plough and the Stars, All My Sons, and Philadelphia, Here I Come! and The Importance of Being Earnest in 2024 

"It is a challenge to work on Sive, one of the greatest Irish plays by one of our greatest writers. Humour, savagery, and tragedy contend throughout this ageless story; and the team behind Sive from Barnstorm has risen to the challenge of making a memorable production" says Philip Hardy who directs.

Barnstorm Theatre Company, renowned for high-quality productions, brings a fresh interpretation to Keane’s landmark story. Barnstorm Theatre Company has built a national reputation for artistic excellence and community engagement, staging original works and reimaginings of classics.  Sive will be performed in Kilkenny’s premier arts venue, the Watergate Theatre, known for its vibrant cultural programming.