Love, greed, marriage? Longford amateur group to perform Keane's 'Sive'

The Ballinalee Players are delighted to bring John B Keane's provocative and powerful play Sive, inspired by real life events from the time to Thomas Ashe Hall in Ballinalee from February 27-28 and March 1. The group have performed in that very hall over the past 10 years, and are happy to return with another play.

The play has held audiences rapt since its first performance in 1959 and remains a stalwart of Ireland’s theatre, having won the All-Ireland Finals that year. Inspired by real-life events in Keane’s life in North Kerry, Sive covers powerful themes, some dark comedy and humour to interest the audiences today as it did when it was first shown.

Read more: A rare first edition work by Longford's captivating novelist to go on display in Dublin

The Ballinalee Players' production of Sive is part funded by Creative Ireland Longford.

Keane's language remains as powerful today as it did when first performed by Listowel Players. Ballinalee Players are very much a community theatre group who are supported by the wonderful community in the area, and hope to see as many theatre enthusiasts come to see their rendition of this infamous work.

Anne Sheridan, the PRO of the Ballinalee Players, came to chat a little in advance to the performance nights about the group and the cast.

"The Ballinalee Players have been a drama group on and off for 60 years. The present incarnation has been for the past 10. It’s a local cast of crew made up of volunteers from all walks of life; drivers, teachers, retirees. They range from early 20s to more mature,” she said.

The cast stars are: Carol Vesey as Nanna Glavin; Anne Sheridan as Mena Glavin; Rowena Rawle as Sive Glavin; Vinny Conefrey as Thomasheen Sean Rua; PJ Donnelly as Mike Glavin; Seamus Cahill as Pats Bocock; Gerry Brady as Cathalawn Bocock; Kevin Reynolds as Liam Scuab; and Pat McDonnell as Sean Dota.

Sive  deals with young love, marriage, greed and rural life in Ireland of the 1950s.

Directed by Martina Reynolds, who has worked with the Ballinalee Players for a number of years as director, there will be darkly comic exchanges between Nanna Glavin and Mena, her hated daughter-in-law. Travelling poets and men of the road, Pats and Carthalawn, bring music and news whether good or bad.

Keane's Sive is on this year's Leaving Certificate course, another sign of its powerful memorable and accessible story. It is an opportunity for students to Keane’s story brought to life.

“The play was chosen and cast in November. Rehearsals have naturally increased after Christmas, from three nights to four a week. It is a big time commitment but people appreciate the local support and get support from much further afield.

“There’s a circuit of people who like going to community and amateur drama. There are individuals and groups who like to travel to see different plays and weekends. Often during the springtime. Now is a busy time.”

Read more: 'I've made friends for life': Voices of Longford enriching the lives of local performers

Tickets cost €15 per person, and the performance begins at 8pm for February 27-28. Doors open on these two nights at 7:30pm. It is 7pm on March 1 when the performance starts. Eventbrite says that the nights will last the duration of three hours.

Booking for all three nights is available on Eventbrite Any queries re tickets call 086 169 3563.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sive-by-john-bkeane-saturday-28th-february-2026-tickets-1982623261546