Can you tell me about Sive?
It’s set in the 50s in North Kerry and it’s a John B Keane play like our last. It’s the story of a young girl called Sive who is matched with a man quite considerably older than herself. Her stepmother is actually in cahoots with the matchmaker, so she marries her off for money basically. So endearing! It’s all about what happens as a consequence of this act, really. I play the part of the stepmother.

What sort of a woman is she?
I suppose, from my own perspective as an actor, I would consider her a person very embittered about her life. She has a lot in common with Big Maggie, my last role, but I think she’s probably even crueler. She’s not a nice person – but we can let the audience decide that! It’s great playing these meaty characters; John B Keane, and Martin McDonagh too, write so incredibly well for women. In other writing the female parts just aren’t as strong.

Is that why you chose another play of his?
Well Tom Begley (co-founder of INDA UK) and I actually met on the set of one of his plays. We became firm friends, and that’s where it all started. We decided we were tired working so hard for other people, and we knew there was a market out there for Irish theatre. We’re both very passionate about John B, we think he’s a fantastic writer who’s never been given the recognition he deserves. It’s such a shame, because he tells a wonderful story – which is what it’s all about, isn’t it?

What’s the most difficult aspect of staging this?
Interesting question… To be honest, I think it’s such a strong play that it stands on its own. We had a great cast for Big Maggie but we also have a superb cast for Sive now. It’s very important that the dynamic between actors works. If it works off stage, it’ll work on stage, you know?

Are the cast all full-time actors?
I think we would all consider ourselves full-time actors, but we do other jobs! We’re in it because it’s our passion, our love in life. There is no other career or business in the world where you will get people to literally work for nothing, which is what it boils down to a lot of the time. That’s a huge issue. I think there should be some grant system putting money into fringe, because there’s just so much good theatre out there.

Is there not enough Irish theatre on stage?
I don’t think so. That’s why we set up INDA UK. We could have a lot more Irish productions on in the West End, definitely. There’s a huge gap in the market, a huge opening out there. Irish plays are generally very well received, too. and by a wide range of audiences – not just an Irish public. We’ve had people from all over the world coming to see our plays, and they all love what they see.

Does lack of funding make you guys more creative?
You have to be more creative. Obviously we would love somebody to come along and give us a grant, or say they’d like to invest in our company. But, you know, all these companies that ask you to fill out forms – I could tell them whatever I liked and they wouldn’t know the difference. I say if you come and see the show, and you like what we’re doing then that’s great, you have something tangible to go on and then you can decide.

How long have you been acting for?
Oh… since I was fourteen! I did most of my training over here in England, but back home I trained with the Cork Shakespearian Company and that was an incredible grounding – I have a huge love of Shakespeare and I learned so much. I also worked with the Everyman Theatre in Cork, and spent two years with Castle Tours in Shannon as lead actress. Then I came over here, and I’ve been working on and off ever since.

If you could act with anybody who would it be?
Anthony Hopkins, definitely. I love that man…

Interview taken from the IrishWorld - www.irishworld.com ]]> http://indauk.com/2008/03/13/susan-cummins-tells-us-about-the-latest-project%e2%80%a6/feed/ http://indauk.com/2008/01/15/sive/ http://indauk.com/2008/01/15/sive/#comments Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:34:59 +0000 Mike http://indauk.com/2008/01/15/sive/

Sive tells the tale of a beautiful young schoolgirl forced into an arranged marriage with a rich and lecherous old man. Against the backdrop of 1950s rural Ireland, the play is colorfully populated with traveling tinkers, bitter housewives and scheming matchmakers.  It is set in a remote area of North Kerry (where Keane was originally from)  and is arguably his greatest play, yet is an established classic.

8th-9th March - Salvatorian College, Harrow Weald, Middlesex

11th-30th March - The White Bear, Kennington, London

11th -12th April - Haringey Irish Centre, Pretoria Road, London

21st-28th April - The Bell Table Theatre, Limerick

ACTORS WORLD CASTING

020 8998 2579 / 07960 332846

katherine@actors-world-production.com

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ACTORS WORLD CASTING

020 8998 2579 / 07960 332846

katherine@actors-world-production.com

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Big Maggie is a hit. Something for everyone (if violent spats, machine gun delivery and raised voices butter your muffin - and they certainly butter mine) in this slick and well directed production. Taut, tense and downright entertaining! I took along a few mates who were dubious, as fringe can be hit and miss but we were all in agreement post show that it was worth the tenner. Outstanding performances from all, notably Becky Wright as apron-tugging Gert [although her hair could’ve been teased a little higher for period detail…], John Casey as doddery old git, Mr. Burn and Susan Cummins as the indefatigable and frankly TERRIFYING Big M. Honestly not one weak link in the show. Special mention to the the two gossipy old dears and outstanding jar of raisins on the Welsh dresser; flawless performances from each. still recovering…. 22 Apr 06

Fringe productions are sometimes superior to West End slickness - low budgets demand high creativity - and this revelatory intimate production helps to prove that this is where sharp agents will discover actors working from the heart. Among an exceptionally convincing ensemble the astonishing Susan Cummings and the passionate Napoleon Ryan excel. Sign them all up and transfer this production to the dark Old Vic immediately. Alex Green 20 Apr 06

Brilliant performances by Susan Cummins (Maggie) who was fantastically terrifying throughout, and John Casey (Byrne) who provided some wonderful comedic light relief. a beautifully written play with some very poignant lines. not to be missed beth 18 Apr 06

Excellent play, deserves to be on in the WEST END, GO SEE FOR YOURSELF…. BIG MAGGIE 16 Apr 06

Fantastic performances from all the cast,deserves a wider audience.I enjoyed every minute.Jack Not to be missed 14 Apr 06

A really effective production which deserves a better venue and a wider audience. The show is well cast and has real strength in the supporting roles: John Casey gives a gentle understated performance as Byrne and Becky Wright is a jewel of a find as Gert. Sam 13 Apr 06

A very tightly written play, ideal for the intimate setting of the Tabard Theatre. Gentle humour from a wonderfully observed performance by John Casey (Byrne) is counterbalanced by scenes of frighteningly raw emotion from Susan Cummins (Maggie Polpin) and Hannah Mercer (Katie Polpin). Hard-hitting, thought-provoking and uncomfortable in its reality. A memorable evening. Davide 12 Apr 06

Fantastic - a thought-provoking production (remember your handkerchief) with strong performances from Maggie Polpin (Susan Cummins) and Katie Polpin (Hannah Mercer). SMB 12 Apr 06

A superb production with a very strong evenly matched cast. The changes in tempo were enthralling and the performances of Susan Cummins as Maggie Polpin and Hannah Mercer as Katie Polpin were quite exceptional. Highly recommended. Anon 11 Apr 06

 This is a brilliant show, with strong performances by all of the cast . Susan Cummins is both frightening and moving as Big Maggie, but the show is stolen by Becky Wright’s stunning performance as Gert. Go see. Graham 10 Apr 06

What a fantastic and enjoyable production. The cast were brilliant and their performances kept me captivated throughtout, especially Hannah Mercer who was outstanding as Katie Polpin. Hannah Silverson 09 Apr 06

There isn’t a single actor in this production who is the weak link - from the sweet and innocent Gert (Becky Wright) to the determined and in love Maurice (Napoleon Ryan). Susan Cummins is fantastic as Big Maggie and by the end there won’t be a dry eye in the house. anon