Sade Malone to star in the Gaiety's re-imagining of John B. Keane’s play Sive

The Gaiety theatre have announced a star-studded ensemble for their upcoming re-imagining of John B. Keane's classic 1959 play Sive.

Helmed by director Andrew Flynn — whose previous merits include critically acclaimed productions of Martin McDonagh’s Hangmen, The Cripple of Inishmaan, The Lieutenant of Inishmore and The Lonesome West — the production is also set to feature a top-notch cast of distinguished Irish stage and screen talent.

Rising Irish talent Sade Malone will assume the titular role of Sive, having previously featured in 2022's Scream of the Wolf, comedy series My Left Nut and Sky drama Tin Star.

Sive will also star Fionnula Flanagan (Hunger Games, Smother), Norma Sheahan (Bridget and Eamon, Moone Boy, The Matchmaker), Steve Wall (The English, The Witcher, Rebellion, Moone Boy), Denis Conway (Hangmen, The Lonesome West, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Brooklyn) and Patrick Ryan (Vikings: Valhalla, Game Of Thrones).

Full cast announced for SIVE with our @Sade_Malone in the title role. Coming soon to @gaiety_theatre pic.twitter.com/fbWuoDPt7J

— Payne Management (@paynemgmt) October 13, 2023

First staged by the Listowel Drama Group in Kerry, after it was rejected by the Abbey Theatre, Sive is the story of a young and beautiful orphan, living in 1950’s Ireland. When a local matchmaker schemes for Sive to marry a much older man, Sive is thrown into a whirlwind of exploitation and emotional turmoil; as her resentful and money-hungry family agree to the arrangement — despite Sive being in love with a young man herself.

Holding a pointedly incisive mirror to the Irish nation, John B. Keane's heartbreaking piece critiques rural conservatism, deftly interrogating themes of poverty, marriage, love and betrayal.

Causing considerable controversy upon its debut, Sive remains a lauded fixture of Ireland's theatrical canon, also appearing on the Leaving Cert syllabus for 2025.

Sive will run at the Gaiety Theatre from 27th January, until 9 March 2024, with tickets available from €20 including booking fee via Ticketmaster.