Al fresco theatre and comedy galore set for Cork's stages

HERE is some good news for alfresco theatre-goers!

Fota is hosting a season of drama from Chapterhouse Theatre Company this summer in its beautiful gardens, with works to delight both young and old.

Pride And Prejudice on June 27 is followed by Beauty And The Beast on July 4, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream on July 7. All start at 7pm, so the only thing we have to keep fingers crossed for is the weather. Bring a picnic, bring a blanket, enjoy the wonderful setting. Booking on https://bookings.fotahouse.com/Home.

The team behind Everyman’s big June production, The Summer I Robbed A Bank, spared no effort to get the atmosphere and setting absolutely right.

Writer Mark Doherty, director Sophie Motley, set and lighting designer Sarah Jane Shiels, and video designer Neil O’Driscoll went right up to Achill Island to research every little detail. They had one heck of a good time while still working round the clock, and you can see the results from June 8-16, with performances at different times to suit different ages.

What’s the story? 12-year-old Rex has to spend his summer holidays on Achill with his eccentric Uncle Derm, who is hatching his most hare-brained plan yet! A madcap robbery, plenty of sheep, and a summer of discoveries are just some of the things in store for Rex. With his new friend Kitty and the gang by his side, this might just shape up to be the summer adventure of a lifetime. Just watch your own kids when you take a holidays this year - they might get ideas!

In the meantime, Chris Kent is at Everyman tonight, with his hilarious show, Back At It, detailing the ups and downs of juggling jobs and trying to buy a house.

Neil Delamere is there tomorrow night with Neil By Mouth, another laughter-filled evening.

This Saturday afternoon, June 1, is the big end of year show for the Connolly Dance Studio, with youngsters determined to show their best skills to proud parents, relatives, and friends. That starts at 1pm. Booking for all Everyman shows on 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com.

The Irish National Opera production of La Traviata is at the Opera House till tomorrow night, but the last seats have just gone! Have to be quick when it’s opera of this standard. There are a few tickets for That’s Showbiz from those chart-topping podcasters, I’m Grand Mam, on Saturday and Sunday, so be quick.

The ELJ Academy of Dance is on stage on Monday at 5pm with Better When I’m Dancing, Choreographed and directed by Emma Louise Jupp.

Tuesday brings Seven Drunken Nights: The Story Of The Dubliners, brilliantly recreated to give the genuine flavour of those unforgettable years.

And on Wednesday, at the earlier hour of 6.30pm, Billie-Jean’s RDC & School of Performing Arts presents A Night At The Movies. A great family show.

Call 021 427 0022 or www.corkoperahouse.ie for bookings.

Ten brand-new, ten minute plays on the theme of Views From A Lamp Post are having their world premieres at the Cork Arts Theatre this week.

Established in 2015, this popular annual ‘Views from…’ series was conceived in order to encourage new writing for the stage and to bring those characters and stories to life in the intimate setting of this energetic little theatre.

Over 300 plays were submitted, finally whittled down to just 10.

See the best of new playwriting in this intriguing format. 8pm start.

And advance notice of the return of a hugely successful production, Educating Rita, next week. Julie Walters made the film version famous, but you have to see the play in its original stage format to appreciate fully Willy Russell’s brilliant writing.

It runs Tues-Sat, June 4-8, at 8pm. 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com for all bookings.