SIVE

Directed by Conall Morrison;
Written by John B. Keane;
Set Design: Sabine Dargent;
Produced at Abbey Theatre and Irish Tour, 2014;
Photos: Ros Kavanagh.

I discovered *Sive* when starting to work on the project with Conall Morrison. I was struck by the power of the writing, which felt both very Irish and extremely universal. Greek tragedy came to mind straight away—a timeless story. I instinctively kept drawing representations of the outdoors to emphasize that the play’s action is set in one room: the kitchen of a cottage in southwest Ireland in the late 1950s. The text highlights the tension between two worlds: the everyday kitchen and the wild outdoors, where travelers, music, and freedom originate. This juxtaposition is at the heart of the play. I followed the author’s precise description of doors, furniture, and props, anchoring the story in reality. Yet, I also wanted to express the lyrical nature of the play. The walls in the set rise dramatically, representing nature’s attempt to reclaim its power and freedom. These walls metaphorically depict clouds, stones, and love, reflecting Sive’s tragic destiny.