Cork panto season is almost here... oh yes it is!

THE Cork Opera House panto, Jack And The Beanstalk, opens next Wednesday, bringing an explosion of light, laughter, excitement and adventure to Cork audiences.

Not just for children, this – with all the bad news in the world, we adults could do with forgetting it all and entering into the true spirit of Christmas, couldn’t we?

Be warned though – the first three performances are already fully sold out! Fortunately it runs to January 21, so you can still grab seats and thereby perhaps extend your own seasonal fun right into 2024!

The Improvised Panto, the lively late-night alternative to the classic show on the main stage, opens on December 8, and runs to December 23, at 10.30pm each night. Definitely not one for the children, but ideal for a get together with friends. Chaos, craic, on-the-spot songs, insane dialogue and laughter, as the cast deal with whatever you throw at them, and thus create an entirely new show every single time!

The annual Cork Opera House Christmas Concert also returns this December for two nights, December 18 and 19, featuring an exciting line-up, including Cork Opera House Jazz Artist In Residence, Laoise Leahy. Compere will be Jody O’Neill, Theatre Artist in Residence, and she will be joined by soloists from Cara O’ Sullivan Associate Artists - bass-baritone Rory Dunne, soprano Kelli Ann Masterson, and tenor Dean Power.

The Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra, conducted by John O’Brien, will be in full strength, as will MTU Glór Choral Society, and St Killian’s Special School promises a captivating performance.

“Every December it’s a huge pleasure to share and welcome Christmas week with our patrons through the Christmas Concert,” says Cork Opera House CEO & Artistic Director, Eibhlin Gleeson.

“It’s always an evening filled with magic and wonder and really sets the scene for this joyful season.”

Bookings for all Opera House events on www.corkoperahouse.ie or 021 427 0022.

The Everyman panto too is almost ready to explode on stage, so make sure you’ve got your tickets. Directed by Catherine Mahon-Buckley, the much loved tale of Beauty And The Beast guarantees fun, laughter, and quite a few gasps, to enthral the entire family, young and old.

Opening Saturday, December 2, it runs through to January 14, with a thoughtful mix of daytime and evening shows, including those with audio description, ISL interpretation, or a special relaxed format. ‘Terrific Thursdays’, with bargain price tickets, are December 8 and 14, and January 11.

Booking on 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com, but if you are booking for the audio-described performance and touch tour on Friday, January 5, at 1.30pm, then email access@everymancork.com or call 021 450 1780.

For the relaxed performance on January 11 at 11am, email access @everymancork.com or call 021 450 1780.

The Everyman Sunday Songbook’s Ultimate Christmas Show runs on Sunday, December 3. A veritable feast of all the greatest seasonal numbers, where you can sing along to your heart’s content.

And on Tuesday, December 5, more festive joy when Lyric Opera Ireland present A Classical Christmas with full orchestra, soloists Rachel Croash and José De Eça, and the MTU Glór Choral Society. Both of the above have a 7.30pm start.

Booking as above on 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com.

What’s the worst date you ever had? That’s the question being asked at the Cork Arts Theatre this week where Red n Blue Theatre Company are presenting Taboo Until Saturday at 8pm (see review above).

Call 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com for bookings.

At the Glen Theatre in Banteer next week, Ultan Conlon and Mary Coughlan appear in concert on Saturday December 2. That’s followed on Friday December 8 by Robert Mizzell with a special Christmas concert. All shows start 8pm sharp. Booking 029 56239 or 087 7558752.