Caring for children during the holidays is a whole new challenge for families with both parents working, says Andrea Mara

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The Abbey’s touring production of Sive underlines its timeless themes of greed and lust, says Colette Sheridan.

Abbey Theatre, Dublin

IT’S been a rapid ascent for Cork actor, Roisin O’Neill.

As John B Keane’s classic tragedy Sive returns to the Abbey stage, his family hope that two of his unseen plays will also be produced, writes Pádraic Killeen

Theatre: Desolate Heaven

Everyman, Cork

THE Irish premiere of writer and composer Ailís Ní Ríain’s play, Desolate Heaven, opens at the Everyman in Cork in a co-production with the Granary Theatre on Feb 3. Directed by Tony McCleane-Fay, Desolate Heaven stars Mary McEvoy, who plays three eccentric women in their late 50s.

Caitlin Doyle Her contribution is entitled ‘Hungry Hills: Coming of Age as an Irish American poet’.

An archive exhibition celebrates the work of Cork theatrical legend James N Healy, writes Colette Sheridan

SATURDAY

Garry Hynes of Druid Theatre in Galway on why she still marvels at John B’s huge ambition

Margaret Dillon recalls the thrill of playing the title role in John B’s first play, Sive, while she was still a schoolgirl

JOHN B KEANE lived a double life.

IN THE winter of 1989, I was living in south-east London, in the not entirely lovely suburb of Lewisham.

I COULD introduce the ‘kingdom’ of Kerry with a description of its incomparable physical attributes, from Cahirsiveen to Ballybunion, but a few well-taken photographs would eclipse my most passionate prosopography.

DRAMA groups from Co Cork towns Kilmeen and Charleville are set to compete for All-Ireland honours in a theatre of golden dreams.

ALMOST a year after his death, John B Keane is still springing literary surprises — just in time to generate theatrical debate at Listowel Writers’ Week.