Dance, poetry, and legends of soccer on Cork's stages this week

TOMORROW night (Friday, May 16) sees the opening performance of Unseen by Croí Glan Integrated Dance Company at Dance Cork Firkin Crane.

Layering video projection, contemporary dance, sound, text and mixed media paintings, it starts at 7.30pm. The performance will be followed by a reception with dancer Tara Brandel and painter Stacey White. Call 021 450 7427 or https://dancecorkfirkincrane.ie/.

An Audience With Liverpool Legends tonight at the Opera House offers an opportunity to meet with and ask questions of Ray Houghton and Peter Beardsley. 7.30pm.

That’s followed tomorrow by Cash Returns, Europe’s No. 1 Johnny Cash and June Carter tribute show.

Centre Stage School is here this weekend with Footworks 2024, its big end of year show; 6pm Saturday, 1pm and 6pm Sunday, but be warned, tickets are selling fast.

All Opera House bookings on www.corkoperahouse.ie or 021 427 0022.

We also have news of the cast for the Opera House’s upcoming production of Summer Revels, running from July 24 to August 11.

This new home-grown musical-comedy summer show is based on the similarly titled long-running production at the venue in the 1970s and ’80s. The 100% Cork company is led by one of our brightest lights on London’s West End - Claire O’Leary - joined by Declan Wolfe (RTÉ’s The Den, The Improv Panto), Michael Sands (The Sound Of Music, Annie, The Young Offenders) and Trevor Ryan (The Sound Of Music). Many of Cork’s best-known musical theatre performers will be there too, plus some popular circus acts.

For its own summer production, The Everyman says it is thrilled to present the stage adaptation of that beloved children’s book, The Summer I Robbed A Bank, by David O’Doherty. Directed by Sophie Motley, it will run June 8-16 as part of Cork Midsummer Festival.

It follows the story of 12-year-old Rex, who is forced to spend his summer holidays on picturesque Achill Island. Reluctant at first, Rex soon discovers the island’s whimsical characters and unexpected adventures, leading him on a journey of self-discovery. Delightful for all the family.

In the meantime, tomorrow night (Friday) brings The Comedy Store to The Everyman. Over 40 years, this is justly renowned as a discovery point for new talent, the place to see tomorrow’s stars today. The likes of Eddie Izzard, John Bishop, Jimmy Carr, Rhod Gilbert and Sarah Millican all cut their comedy teeth with The Comedy Store.

The Everyman will showcase Tom Toal as MC and his guests Michael Akadiri, Chris Stokes and Jack Hester.

On Saturday, the Alan Foley Academy presents Dance Offering, with students accompanied by guest artistes from Cork City Ballet. 6pm start.

All bookings on www.everymancork.com or 021 450 1673.

The Cork International Poetry Festival kicked off last night at the Arts Theatre with several writers contributing from their works. It continues until Saturday; tonight at 7pm, Jenny Mitchell and Gustav Parker Hibbett, followed by John F. Deane and Aidan Mathews at 8.30pm, concluding with Victoria Kennefick and Heather Treseler at 10pm. Check out the details for every night on https://corkartstheatre.com/event/cipf-2024/.

Finally, advance notice that after a hugely successful inaugural event last year, Macroom Music Festival returns over the weekend of June 21-23, with The Stunning, Hermitage Green, and The White Horse Guitar Club as headline acts.

The event of course recalls the very first open-air music festival in Ireland, The Macroom Mountain Dew, which ran from 1976 until 1982, and brought Rory Gallagher to town. That was held in the Castle grounds, this year’s event will return to the town square, outside the castle’s gates. See https://www.macroommusicfest.ie/.