The striking monologue `Sheep!' will premiere at this year’s Galway Theatre Festival on Wednesday, May 6.

At its heart, 'Sheep!' tells an "offbeat comedic tale" of a sheep that no longer knows how to belong after experiencing sexual assault.

It was written and is performed by Jenni Nikinmaa, a Finnish artist who lived on Inis Mor for over five years, moving to Galway city in the last week.

She said: "I was on Clare island in 2019 and I just kept listening to the different voices of different sheep.

"It was so enchanting as we often think of them as the same, like sheep have no individuals.

Partly autobiographical and partly imagined, 'Sheep!' offers a deeply personal yet widely resonant exploration of the emotional aftermath of sexual assault.

The piece is directed by Sarah O’Toole, with sound design by Jack Cawley and lighting design by Órla Kelly-Smith. Dramaturgy is by Michael West and Hugh Farrell.

Sheep!

The monologue explores belonging, trauma, and resilience through the unexpected lens of sheep and flock life.

According to Nikinmaa: "It is about flocks, belonging and violence that makes us afraid to look anyone in the eyes in fear of inviting unwanted attention".

Nikinmaa is known for creating work that approaches difficult subjects with gentleness and originality.

'Sheep!' continues this approach, offering what audiences have described as one of the most impactful, honest, and responsible artworks on sexual assault they have experienced.

It is funded by Galway Theatre Festival, Galway County Council, and a dedicated community of crowdfunders, with support from Druid Theatre and Galway Rape Crisis Centre.

The writing of the play was supported by Arts Council of Ireland, the Druid Theatre FUEL programme, Pavilion Theatre Studio residency, and Dublin Fringe Artist at Work residency.

Development support was provided by Town Hall Theatre Galway and Áras Éanna, Inis Oírr.