‘Summer Revels!’ returns to the stage in Cork for a whole new generation
A show-stopping scene from Cork Opera House's Summer Revels! opening night.
One of Cork theatre’s oldest traditions returned to the stage this week to a sold-out house and a standing ovation.
For over two decades, the annual series was a showbiz mainstay in Cork, and now it has now been relaunched for a whole new generation.
On Wednesday evening, the premiere of , which takes its name from a series of productions which ran through the 1970s and 1980s, opened in Cork Opera House, bringing the audience to their feet after a show-stopping display of comedy, music and dance.
The production boasts a company it describes as “100% Cork”, and it is led by West End star Claire O’Leary, fresh from her recent run at The London Palladium in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new , and following her debut in .
She is joined by Cork theatre icons Declan Wolfe, from and , Michael Sands from , , and , and Trevor Ryan from the .
The 17-strong professional ensemble also includes several Cork musical theatre performers who have been entertaining audiences nationally and internationally for years, including Marie O’Donovan, Therese O’Sullivan, Alex Glennon, Fiona Kennedy.
They are joined by Bandon’s Alison Arnopp, and emerging Cork artist Precious Abimbola, making her professional debut in the show.
Speaking after the opening night, Cork Opera House CEO, Eibhlín Gleeson, said she was delighted to see the return of an important part of Leeside’s theatre history.
“We are thrilled to revive and present this show, which was once a cherished feature of our stage for over 20 years.
“Without doubt, our cast represents the absolute crème of local, national, and international talent, and it is an immense achievement to be able to say that each and every one of them is from Cork, and began their theatrical training here,” Ms Gleeson said.
Directed by Killian Collins and John O’Brien, runs at Cork Opera House until Sunday, August 4.
See www.corkoperahouse.ie for details.
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