Rehearsals underway for Sadie at the Lyric

Rehearsals for the international premiere of Sadie, a searing new play from former Artist-in-Residence David Ireland, has started at Lyric Theatre.
By Julie-Ann Spence
Published 5th Feb 2021, 09:00 BST
Cast of The Lyric Theatre production - Sadie. L-R Santino Smith, Abigail McGibbon, Andrea Irvine, David Pearse and Patrick JenkinsCast of The Lyric Theatre production - Sadie. L-R Santino Smith, Abigail McGibbon, Andrea Irvine, David Pearse and Patrick Jenkins
Cast of The Lyric Theatre production - Sadie. L-R Santino Smith, Abigail McGibbon, Andrea Irvine, David Pearse and Patrick Jenkins

Directed by Conleth Hill with award-winning actress Abigail McGibbon in the title role, Sadie is a Lyric Theatre Production in association with, and originally commissioned by, Field Day Theatre Company.

Rehearsals will take place in accordance with the NI Executive COVID guidance and safety protocols.

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It will be filmed on the Lyric Main Stage in February, and broadcast on BBC Four and BBC NI as part of BBC Arts ‘Lights up’ British Theatre for new Culture in Quarantine Season, transmission date to be confirmed.

Sadie is a dark drama set in Northern Ireland in 2020. In contravention of lockdown rules sharp-witted cleaner Sadie (Abigail McGibbon) develops an intense, dysfunctional relationship with a much younger man – triggering a psychological showdown with the remnant demons of her past.

A one night stand with the new office temp Joao (Santino Smith) develops into something much more serious when Joao reveals he’s in love with her. Sadie is flattered but with a long history of terrible relationships, she wonders if it’s even possible for her to be happy in love. To answer that question, she calls upon her long dead uncle Red (Patrick Jenkins), her abusive ex-husband Clark (David Pearse) and her new therapist Mairead (Andrea Irvine). Together they help her face some horrifying truths she’s kept hidden for too long.

Jimmy Fay, Executive Producer said: “It is wonderful to have artists back in the Lyric to produce this unique recording of Sadie by our friend and former Artist in Residence, David Ireland.

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“Our team has worked tirelessly in order to put in extreme safety controls measures in place and I want to thank the cast and all of the team for their due diligence to the safety regulations and towards the well-being of each other in the making of this extraordinary production so that we can bring this great play and Lyric production to your home during this extraordinary time.”

Related topics:Lyric TheatreRED