The shows, concerts, plays you won't want to miss in Cork this week...

CORK is truly a singing city this week, with the Choral Festival in full swing since yesterday.

Right through until Sunday, there will be events on everywhere, both free and ticketed, in all sorts of venues.

Today we have choirs at the Goldie Chapel from 11am, for example, a Choral Trail at Hollyhill Library from 12.30pm and at both Lavit Gallery and Mayfield Library from 2pm, followed by Douglas Library at 3pm; choirs at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral at 1.10pm and also at Griffith College at the same time (what lovely lunchtime breaks those offer!); and the big one tonight, the Latvia State Choir at 7.30pm in the august surroundings of the City Hall.

The full programme is at www.corkchoral.ie/festival_events/ - prepare to be enchanted!

At Everyman, Tuesdays With Morrie must end tonight. Adapted from Mitch Albom’s hugely successful book of the same name, it stars Dan Butler (Bulldog in Frasier) and Stephen Jones (Lloyd in Northern Lights), and tells the story of Albom himself, an accomplished journalist driven solely by his career, and his reunion with Morrie Schwartz, his former college professor. 7.30pm start.

There’s the sound of strings tomorrow night at Everyman when the White Horse Guitar Club takes to the stage’ 11 men, 11 voices and 11 guitars imbue Americana with an Irish soul. 

Two sold-out Irish tours in 2023, over a million views on YouTube - oh yes, and invited by President Michael D. Higgins to perform at Áras an Uachtaráin. Don’t miss them.

On Saturday, Irish comedy’s new wonderkid Shane Daniel Byrne makes his debut at The Everyman with But He’s Gay. Sold-out runs at both the Edinburgh Fringe and the Dublin Fringe promise a wildly fiery night when he tells you everything that’s wrong with him (and just maybe the things that have gone well also!) 8pm start.

Sunday brings a lively end-of-term show from the students of Spotlight Performing Arts, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Jr. A delightful musical with performers aged 4 to 16, it is a celebration of youthful talent, creativity and the joy of the performing arts par excellence. That begins at 6.30pm, note.

Check out everything at Everyman on www.everymancork.com or ring 021 450 1673.

Still time to catch The Cripple of Inishmaan at the Opera House, but the last performance is tomorrow night. Jack L is here on Saturday, and on Sunday Sinead Sheppard’s School of Performing Arts present their own end-of-year performance, Showtime 2024, with students as young as three taking part. Performances at noon and 5pm, tickets are much in demand.

More entertainment for the youngsters next Wednesday and Thursday, with Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out. Various times throughout the morning and afternoon both days - check the Opera House website for all the details and booking arrangements. 021 427 0022 or www.corkoperahouse.ie.

Montfort College of Performing Arts are at Cork Arts Theatre this Monday, May 6, with Drama Showcase, featuring poetry, improvisation, solos, duologues, and group acting pieces presented by the drama students from the college’s Fermoy studio, directed by Valerie O’Leary. 7pm start. 021 450 5624 or www.corkartsttheatre.com

And advance notice of something very popular coming up at the Opera House in July and August. The Summer Revels are returning!

A much-loved feature in years gone by, now they are back in a show-within-a-show format which follows the hilarious, haphazard cast performing against all the odds - the pompous director, the star diva, the accident-prone clown, the magician with the big idea, the vocal audience members, the talent, egos, hilarity and magic. It will be enormous fun, and since it has a good long run (from July 24 to Aug 11) you will be able to take your summer visitors to it as well.