Longford drama group stage John B classic

Killeen Dramatic Society are putting the final touches to their spring production as they take on an icon of Irish drama. Vincent Kiernan takes up the role of director for the Society's presentation of John B Keane's play 'Sive'.

“It's a couple of years since we staged a show,” Angelo Regan of Killeen Dramatic Society told the Leader, “Our last few plays were comedies, The Maiden Aunt and The Real McCoy. Vincent suggested we do a more serious play this time around.”

The director has assembled a cast of nine players: “A lot of the cast are seasoned performers, but we have a couple of new actors. Playing Sive is Ellen O'Reilly, it is her first time to ever perform on stage. Playing Liam Scuab, her love interest, is Fergal Kilbride,” Angelo tells.
Written in 1959, Sive is an Irish classic and one of the nation's best loved plays. It's a story about a battle of generations, a country in flux, exploitation, greed, love and tragedy all told with John B's lyrical dialogue and great Irish humour.

In the play Nana and Mena bicker and provoke one another in the small smoky cottage where they live with Sive and Mena’s husband, Mike.

While Nana dotes on her orphaned granddaughter, Sive, Mena plots to marry the young girl off to an old local farmer for the promise of land and a chance to escape from poverty.
“Tomasheen Sean Rua is played by Garry Glennon, while Mena is played by Carmel Reilly, both of them are experienced actors,” Angelo tells.

Work on the play started just after Christmas: “We had a meeting just before Christmas and decided on the play. We started rehearsals in January. Everyone is dying to get it on the stage. It's a huge commitment, but it has worked out great.”

Angelo is expecting tickets for the play to be in high demand: “We are renowned for having full houses. We have been in existence for a long time and audiences have always left having enjoyed the show.”

Killeen Dramatic Society presents John B Keane's Sive in Granard Community Centre on Friday, Saturday & Sunday, April 28, 29 and 30.
The curtain is up at 8pm, tickets available at the door.