Theatre Nights: Musical maestros, and dance fest too

Fancy listening to something that is essentially Cork next Sunday night, February 23?

Well, RTÉ Radio is broadcasting Ger Fitzgibbon’s play, The Four-Faced Liar, featuring (of course) our beloved Shandon tower and its hardworking clock, at 8pm that evening.

“It’s a bit edited down from the original,” says Ger, “which was done during Covid, live from the Everyman stage. The new version is directed by Charlie McCarthy and features a raft of Cork actors.”

We’ll be listening in, Ger. Many of you will remember his marvellous book, Songs For A Burning City, published a year or so ago, which sets the true story of the burning of Cork in 1920 in and around a production of The Gondoliers which was running in the Opera House at the time.

It was genuinely riveting reading. So listen to the broadcast on Sunday, and if you haven’t read Songs For A Burning City yet, then more shame to you, go and buy it!

One Night Of Adele at the Opera House is sold out tomorrow (Friday) but there were a few tickets left for tonight when we checked.

Derek Ryan is here with his band on Saturday night, performing numbers from his latest album, plus chart-toppers like Hold On To Your Hat, Down On Your Uppers, and God’s Plan.

Sunday night sees the welcome return of Norma Sheahan with It’s Wine O’Clock. Directed by Michael Scott, it’s the feisty story of getting divorced and realising 50 is the new 30! Great fun. 8pm start. Call 021 427 0022 or log onto www.corkoperahouse.ie.

Something rather special now down at the lovely little Sea Church in Ballycotton on Sunday night, when Clare tenor Dean Power brings an evening of songs inspired by the Irish literary and musical tradition. Settings of text written by Yeats, Joyce, Wilde and Fanny Parnell, as well as settings of Moore’s Melodies, are newly composed and arranged by James Hurley, who accompanies Dean on piano for the evening. What a place for such a recital! 7.30pm start. Book through the Opera House as above.

Des Bishop is at the Everyman tonight with his new comedy show, looking at all the changes life throws at us.

Qween, featuring the incredible Dublin Gospel Choir, still has a few seats (we think) for tomorrow night, February 21, while from next Wednesday to Saturday, February 26-March 1, the students of BA Musical Theatre at MTU CSM return with another smash hit musical – Dolly Parton’s 9 To 5.

What happens if an overworked and bullied office of women rebel, throw out their bosses, and run the place themselves? Get down there and find out! 7.30pm nightly with an ISL interpreted matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm. 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com.

That bittersweet play, Same Time Next Year, is on at Cork Arts Theatre until Saturday, March 1, telling the story of two people in love, who don’t want to break up their respective families, and so agree to meet just once every 12 months. Could you do it? 8pm, with matinees both Saturdays at 2.30pm. 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com.

Dance Cork at the Firkin Crane launched its Take Off Festival yesterday, with exciting artists from both Ireland and Europe tonight and tomorrow.

Tonight, Thursday, Jessie Keenan, Tobi Omoteso, Tú Hoàng, and tomorrow, Friday, Amir Sabra, Habib Ben Tanfous. Amazing new work. 7.30pm both nights, and each performance will be followed by a Q & A session.

Booking on https://dancecorkfirkincrane.ie/take-off-2025 or 021 450 7427.

The Glen Theatre in Banteer has let us know of its entertaining schedule in the weeks ahead. Saturday, March 1 brings Ann Gildea with Further Adventures In Womaning, while the following Saturday, it’s none other than Reggie from the Blackrock Road with Oh Lads! And Sean Keane is here on March 16. 029 56239 for all Glen bookings.