Madness musical, and chamber fest set for Cork's stages

THE High Kings tomorrow night (Friday, February 23) at the Opera House are sold out, but there are still, at time of going to press, some seats available for Derek Ryan on Saturday, and those evergreen warriors of traditional music, The Fureys, on Sunday.

Paul Young, he of the wonderful voice, on Tuesday, is already sold out, while tickets for The Centre Stage School of Mallow’s big show, 20 Years On, on Thursday next, February 29, are going like hot cakes. (That one starts at the earlier time of 7pm by the way.)

An exciting night of music, song, laughter, nostalgia is promised, with a confident look to the future from this vibrant stage school.

Our House, currently being staged at the Everyman to packed houses, continues until Saturday, with the students of the BA in Musical Theatre at MTU showing just what they are capable of in fine style.

The story of a young man who makes a fatal decision on his 16th birthday, which could take his life in either of two very different directions, this lively show is written by Tim Firth and directed by Christine Sharry, with music and lyrics by Madness. 7.30pm nightly, additional matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm.

And, just in case you didn’t know, the Everyman’s February Artists Afternoon takes place this very afternoon, 2-4pm! Open to all professional artists and arts workers, it will have the director of Dublin Fringe Festival in attendance, running a workshop at 3pm to answer your queries about applying to participate in that famous event. The Everyman bar will be open for free tea, coffee and chats and, they say, feel free to bring your lunch! The workshop is free to attend but booking is essential. Don’t hesitate!

Booking for all Everyman shows on 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com.

A delightful concert is coming up at the Cork Arts Theatre this weekend, when Leeside Voices present Say It With Music, a carefully-chosen programme of solos, duets and quartets from favourite Broadway shows like Oklahoma, Carousel, The Music Man, South Pacific, plus well-loved Irish songs from Percy French and others.

Under the banner of Leeside Voices, you will find those acclaimed artistes Anne Bermingham, Siobhan Coakley, Denis Lane, and Noel Somers, expertly accompanied by Tom Doyle. Musical direction is by Aileen Scriven, and narration by Ber Madden.

That’s Friday and Saturday at 8pm, with a matinee on Sunday at 3pm.

From Wednesday to Saturday next week, a complete change with The Ballad Of Mossy Flood, featuring Seamus O’Rourke’s best-loved character as he hilariously wrestles with the problems of everyday life. Great fun. Booking for all Arts Theatre shows on 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com.

It is, amazingly, nine years since noted Cork violinst Mairead Hickey started the Ortus Chamber Music Festival with her friend Sinead O’Halloran. Now a highly popular fixture on the classical calendar, the 2024 event takes place from next Sunday, February 25 to Sunday, March 3 at venues in Cork city, Bantry, Midleton, and Mitchelstown.

Participating this year are Cork’s own Alex and Kelley Petcu (percussion and voice), along with Amsterdam cellist Ella van Poucke and Irish pianist Sean Morgan-Rooney. From Paris, pianist Jérémie Moreau, and from Berlin, Russian violist Karolina Errera are also heading this way for the festival, where they will join Cork’s Marja Gaynor (violin), Aoife Nic Athlaioch (cello), and Siobhán Armstrong (harp).

The opening concert this Sunday at St Brendan’s Church in Bantry at 3pm will include Bach, Gliere, Telemann and Ravel.

Beautiful music in wonderful surroundings.

Get all of the information including other venues and programmes, and where to buy tickets on www.ortusfestival.ie.