Theatre Nights: Yule music shows and pantos galore

Two rather nice events are coming up today and tomorrow – the first, indeed, is at 11am this very morning in Cork City Library.

A Merry Little Corkmas will bring a sparkle of festive merriment and delightful music from Linda Kenny, The Loungeman (aka Conor O’Shea) and Jimmy Brockie (MD). Find where you put your Santa hat and get your vocal cords in shape on the way down to the Grand Parade, as you’ll definitely be called upon to sing!

Admission is entirely free, but seating is limited, so you’d better get there early.

And there is a festive evening of song at Our Lady Crowned Church in Mayfield tomorrow , Friday, at 7pm. The concert will feature the church’s own choir, with conductor Michael Joyce, and special guests too. It’s all in aid of Lourdes 2025, and tickets will be available on the door for this very worthwhile event.

Cinderella is proving a great hit at the Opera House, but have you ever wondered where that magical fairytale and its incorporation into the pantomime season started? Well, the one we know is probably from the 17th century French tale by Perrault, but it has antecedents as far back as the Greek story of Rhodopis And The Little Gilded Sandals, about a slave girl who marries a king.

Cinderella was first seen in pantomime form at Covent Garden in London in 1820. Entitled Harlequin And Cinderella, or The Little Glass Slipper, it featured that greatest of all clowns, Joseph Grimaldi. Cinderella has always been able to attract huge audiences – probably because of that great plot, involving rags to riches, unkind relatives, and not only a prince, but a fairy godmother.

Certainly, the spell seems to be working at the Opera House where seats are in demand for every performance. Got yours yet? Don’t leave it too long.

Meanwhile, the Opera House big Christmas Concert on December 16/17 is fully sold out! Well done if you’ve got your tickets, as it’s going to be a great night. Our own Majella Cullagh is starring, and can’t wait for curtain up. “It’s so special to be singing here in my own city at this wonderful time of year,” she said. “I have performed in many theatres across the world, but being home for an event like this beats them all.”

And don’t forget that late-night craziness, The Improvised Panto, is now running at the Opera House. Couldn’t be a better way to have a night out with friends. Such has been its success that they have added two extra shows, on December 27/28, so if you can’t get there before Christmas, you have a chance afterwards.

Call 021 427 0022 or see www.corkoperahouse.ie for all bookings there.

Red Riding Hood has of course been a much-loved fairytale for children of many generations, and the Everyman version is a marvellous blend of excitement, laughter, music, song, and dance, especially with Fionula Linehan playing Dame. Well, the principal boy, traditionally played by a girl, disappeared some years ago, so perhaps it was time to bring her back to her rightful character.

Fionula is everything an exuberant, jolly, slightly wacky mother-figure should be, only more so. Go see her and you’ll agree. Call 021 4501673 or see www.everymancork.com.

Cu Chulainn Agus an Chocolate Factory, the city’s only bilingual panto, at the Cork Arts Theatre, opened last night, and is surely a marvellous way to introduce children to the joys of our native tongue as well as the pleasure of pantomime. Make sure you take them to this one. Until December Call 021 450 5624 or see www.corkartstheatre.com.

Country music star Robert Mizzell is at the Glen Theatre in Banteer this Saturday, December 14. Born in Louisiana, but living here for over 20 years, he was voted Ireland’s Favourite Country Music Singer not long ago. 8pm start. Call 029 56239 to book.