The Country Girls

The 1950s. Rural Ireland. Kate and Baba are best friends who long to escape their traditional families and convent school. When they finally rebel and make a break for it, their lives burst open.

As they forge new identities in Dublin, the childhood friends must discover if it is possible to grow up without growing apart.

Edna O’Brien’s novel The Country Girls was controversially banned in Ireland on publication in 1960. From her much loved book, she has created a new free-flowing play which is a frank, lyrical and wrenching exploration of young women, the loss of innocence and the tenacity of love and hope.

Director Lisa Blair makes her debut at Chichester; her recent productions include Contractions at Sheffield Crucible and Faust X2 at the Watermill, Newbury.