The Bird Sanctuary

Directed by Liisa Smith
Designed by Steve Burson

'Keep the faith. In the family. That it will live for ever. That’s what I want to believe.'

It is three years since Eleanor last left the family house. Now her previously distant sister returns with a deal she finds hard to refuse. Set in one of the grandest houses in Dublin and laced with a sprinkling of superstition and magic, this mystical comedy-drama gives voice to a family hell-bent on loyalty and survival.

Frank McGuinness is one of leading Irish playwrights whose work is regularly seen at The Abbey, the West End and Broadway. They include Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme (London Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Playwright), Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, Dolly West’s Kitchen, Speaking Like Magpies, and most recently There Came a Gypsy Riding at The Almeida 2007.

Co-founder of StageSpell Theatre Company, Liisa Smith’s previous credits include The Dark Lady of the Sonnets in Estonia, The Highway Crossing (Time Out Critic’s Choice), and On Raftery’s Hill at The Rosemary Branch last year. In November she will be directing Poor Beast in the Rain by Billy Roche in her native Estonia's largest state theatre.

'Catch it while you can'
The Observer

'Tightly directed by fellow Estonian Liisa Smith'
The Stage

'Compulsive gripping theatre
South London Press

'Smith directs with a light and witty touch'
Time Out ****

'There are fine performances all round in Liisa Smith’s tidy production'
Time Out ****