Theatre Nights: Friel classic, comedy, plus Proms on the way

A major revival of Brian Friel’s rarely-seen classic, Making History, opens tomorrow at the Everyman.

Brought to the stage by Des Kennedy, Everyman’s new artistic director, it shows Gaelic Ireland in 1591, on the brink of cultural extinction under English occupation. Hugh O’Neill and Mabel Bagenal have married in secret; Irish clans have joined forces with the Spanish; and the Battle of Kinsale is about to change the course of our history.

So much has been written from an English point of view, it’s more than time we had the true Irish angle on events of that time.

The role of O’Neill at different points in his life will be played by Aaron McCusker and Denis Conway, joined by Aron Hegarty as Hugh O’Donnell, plus Liadán Dunlea, Martha Dunlea, Peter Gowen, Chris McHallem, Stephen O’Leary, and Ray Scannell.

The play runs to April 26, and is simply a must-see. Call 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com.

Acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Joan As Police Woman plays the Opera House for one performance only tomorrow (Friday), following the release of her 10th studio album Lemons, Limes & Orchids.

Then we have some of Cork’s younger talent coming up: on Saturday and Sunday, Studio Wolfe presents Motown Celebration, with dazzling choreography showcasing everyone from pre-schoolers to teenagers. 5pm Saturday, 11.30am and 5pm on Sunday. That’s followed on Monday night, April 14, by Reach For The Stars, the end of term show from the students of the Aideen Johnson School of Dance, beginning at 7pm.

The rest of next week, the Opera House will be in full-on preparation for the much-anticipated return of The Cork Proms in three very different concerts across various dates from Saturday, April 19 to Sunday, April 27. Whether you’re a classical connoisseur, a musical theatre fan, or a lover of pop music, this extravaganza has it all.

Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra and a host of Leeside and Ireland’s finest performers, will celebrate the music of pop, classics, and musical theatre. Fuller details on that next week, but check it all out on www.corkoperahouse.ie and book your tickets early. 021 427 0022.

Tom O’Mahony appears at City Limits - Cork Comedy Club this Saturday, April 12. This popular comedian and podcaster is one of the busiest acts in the country. Quite apart from being resident warm-up for The Late Late Show, he has played every major festival, as well as starring in Damo & Ivor and Bridget & Eamon.

Doors 8pm/show 8.45pm. See www.thecomedyclub.ietarget="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">, www.tickets.ie or call 085 2573480.

Tickets may be available at the door on the night; or to hold, email tickets@thecomedyclub.ie. Coming soon: Killian Sundernan, Colin Murphy, Patrick McDonnell.

Don’t forget Conal Creedon’s The Cure, now on at the Cork Arts Theatre and continuing to April 19. Can an established alcoholic turn his life around on the strength of one chance meeting in the street? Ciaran Bermingham stars, directed by Al Dalton. 8pm start. Call 021 450 5624 or see www.corkartstheatre.com to book.

And heavens to Betsy, it’s going to be the May Bank Holiday weekend before we know where we are and that means only one thing on Leeside – The Cork Choral Festival. Would you believe this is the 70th showing of this internationally-renowned event?

Running from April 30 to May 4, it will include major choirs from all over the world, plus fringe concerts and popular events like The Choral Trail and the Big Sing at City Hall. See www.corkchoral.ie for all that is on the programme.

And finally, this weekend at the Glen Theatre in Banteer, the resident drama group will present Dying To Meet You, a comedy written by Ron Hutson and directed by Tadhg O’Keeffe. 8pm start.

Call 029 56239 for bookings.