Her, Sive
19 November - 9 December 2022
Written by Kat Woods
Directed by Maisie Lee
Booking Information
Dates: 14th November – 9th December
Running time: 1 hour
Please note: Her, Sive is designed to be performed in a large classroom with the furniture pushed back or in a school hall (which needs to be closed for the duration). It is for class sizes of around 30 per performance. The show is suitable for primary and secondary schools (5th class upwards to 2nd Year).
Based on classics of Irish theatre, this series introduces students to the canon by giving voice to young people from the world of the play.
The Abbey Theatre’s education work is returning to schools with a new play, Her, Sive from their acclaimed Priming the Canon series.
Her, Sive revisits the themes of John B Keane’s Sive from a new angle. Contemporary playwright Kat Woods has created a spirited new heroine, Sheila, who’s questioning the social attitudes of Ireland on the brink of modernity.
It’s the 1950s and 14 year old Sheila has been driven out of the house because of the sudden arrival of a mysterious visitor. Chasing after her dog she sees her friend Sive’s house over the fields and remembers the recent tragedy caused by Sive’s arranged marriage. This makes her reflect on some disturbing events in her own life and she realises she’s going to have to fight to avoid the same fate.
The Abbey will perform Her, Sive at schools around Dublin between 14th November – 9th December. We provide online resources to help teachers both prepare and follow up on our visit. These include pre and post show questionnaires, curriculum linked activities and four videos where the facilitator and actor explore Sexism, Mental Health, Then & Now and Church & State.
If you would like us to perform Her, Sive in your school, or have any questions please contact us at hersive@abbeytheatre.ie.
