Theatre Nights: CADA in spotlight and Jason Donovan in town

Jason Donovan is at the Opera House tomorrow night with his Doin’ Fine 25 tour, a spectacular celebration of a remarkable career in music, theatre, film, and TV.

It covers 35 years of hits on stage and screen, no less, via Jason’s energetic and unique live performance style.

That’s followed on Saturday night by Harvest: A Tribute to Neil Young. Formed in 2009, Harvest has played sell-out shows all over Ireland with its passionate performances of classic favourites like Heart of Gold, Old Man, Out On The Weekend, Harvest Moon, and more.

The Legend of Luke Kelly is at the Opera House on Sunday night, and is sure to attract aficionados from far and wide.

And tickets for Kamasi Washington’s debut appearance on Leeside next Wednesday night, April 9, are selling fast, showing the fan following for this legendary multi-instrumentalist and composer.

Call 021 427 0022 or see www.corkoperahouse.ie.

Comedian Rory O’Connor is live at Everyman tomorrow night with his show Keep ’Er Lit. sharing his experiences and thoughts on managing our minds, challenging fear and why it’s important to never lose the madness! Wisdom and laughter cleverly combined.

Meanwhile, rehearsals are in full swing there for the big Brian Friel production, Making History, coming up from April 11. It’s the Ireland of 1591, when we were fighting for our cultural existence against the colonising English, our proud clans have joined forces with the Spanish, and the Battle of Kinsale is about to change the course of Irish history… and Hugh O’Neill chooses this moment to make a secret marriage to Anglo-Irish noblewoman Mabel Bagenal.

Jason O’Donovan is at the Opera House tomorrow

Unmasked 25, by CADA Performing Arts, has been packing them in at the Cork Arts Theatre all this week, with shows continuing until Saturday. Every night a different troupe, every night a different show, with performers aged 3 up to 20+ showing their considerable talents. Each night’s show begins at 7pm. Directed by Catherine Mahon-Buckley.

Next week sees the return to the Cork Arts Theatre by popular demand of Conal Creedon’s The Cure, after a sell-out run in 2024.

Observing the classic unities of time, place, and action, it features a man waiting on a street corner for the pubs to open – when he has a chance meeting that may change his life. Performed by Ciaran Bermingham, it’s directed by Al Dalton and will run from April 9-19 at 8pm. Booking for all shows here on 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com.

Chart-topping podcasters I’m Grand Mam are back with a bang for a dates at the Gleneagle INEC Arena, Killarney, tomorrow night with their new presentation, That’s Showbiz.

Corkonians PJ Kirby and Kevin Twomey are experts at providing a highly entertaining night while exploring the collective life landmarks that accompany growing up gay in the world today.

Join them as they navigate their way through life whilst battling with the internal shared struggle every Irish gay man deals with – what would Mam think?

Mario Rosenstock is in the INEC Arena on Saturday night with Gift Grub 25, while Neil Delamere is at the INEC Club on that same night. All shows start 7.30pm. Call 064 667 1555 or see www.inec.ie.

And in Tralee, Siamsa Tíre, our National Folk Theatre, tonight has A Medley of Musicals by transition year students at Colaiste Íde agus Iosaf. Excerpts from well-loved shows including Back To The 80s, Hamilton, Moulin Rouge, The Great Gatsby, Spice Girls and more in a variety show not to be missed. 7.30pm start.

Booking on siamsatire.com or 066 712 3055.