Theatre Nights: Parade on Pana, mystery, and song

Murder, mystery, and yes, dolphins from tonight until Sunday at the Granary! Truly a case of Hollywood noir meeting contemporary Ireland. When beloved dolphin, Fungie, is assassinated, it’s up to grizzled private eye, Frank Finger, to crack the case. But as he wades deeper into the murky waters of Dingle’s underworld, he uncovers a tangled web of property moguls, fascist clergy, and ancient cults. Created by Cork-based Oh!Scare Wilde Productions, and supported by the Cork Midsummer Festival, Bottlenose is the latest from writer-actor Aaron O’Neill and director Dee Finn. Their 2023 Pigeon Factory was a huge hit and this one seems set to reach the same heights. The cast includes Aaron O’Neill as Frank Finger, Gillian Roberts as Velvet Nixon, Patrick Lehane as Dermot, Paul Lynch as Connelly, Mike O’Dowd as Lafferty, and Michael Moone as Karl. 7pm from tonight until Saturday, 1pm Saturday and Sunday. Booking on www.corkmidsummer.com. Or turn up at the door and hope!

Tomorrow and Saturday at the Cork Arts Theatre a new play from Fishamble, The Black Wolfe Tone, is running as part of Cork Midsummer Festival, in association with Everyman. This is a thrilling piece about identity, raging against the machine and how young men deal, or don’t deal, with the darkness. At its heart, it’s about the inner child wanting only to be acknowledged, loved, and held. Written by and featuring Kwaku Fortune. Strong language and themes of an adult nature. 8pm. www.corkartstheatre.com, or 021 450 5624.

This Saturday at the Everyman, fresh from a five-star, sell-out tour across Australia, New Zealand and the UK, Camille O’Sullivan will present her new show, Cork Girl, specially created for the Festival and celebrating her hometown and its music. 8.30pm at Everyman.

Scoil Phádraig Naofa is thrilled to announce their upcoming school musical, Hard Knock Life, which takes place next Tuesday, June 24. This is a fresh and exciting take on that timeless classic Annie, where the school’s talented students bring to life the story of resilience, hope, and finding family in the most unexpected places. 7.30pm start. All bookings for Everyman on 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com.

The biggest event next Sunday, both literally and metaphorically, has surely got to be seven gigantic red giraffes parading gracefully down Pana, led by an operatic diva. Renowned French street theatre group, Compagnie OFF, has captivated audiences worldwide with their large-scale performances that reimagine public spaces, and Les Girafes has already delighted cities across Europe. This is a Cork City Council-supported event as part of the Open Streets series. See it at 2pm or 9pm (when there will also be a night market in the city).

Who needs to go up to Cork to see excellent theatre when it’s right down there in Beara? That’s the demand from Lehanmore, where they are staging Zeitgeist Dukebox, with Little John Nee, this coming Saturday, June 21. An immersive experience, framed by Nee’s masterful storytelling; a soulful antidote to the disconnection of our times, and a testament to the healing power of music. Sit back, relax, and laugh. Should the music move you, jump up and join the band! Lehanmore is a strong supporter of the arts in Beara, especially drama and music. By supporting their shows, you ensure that the best of Irish talent continue to travel and appear on the Peninsula. 8pm. Tickets on the door or on 086 1930552.

And advance notice of Swarmfest 2025, which takes place on Friday, June 27, from 2pm to 8pm at the Kino Events House. Seven youth acts will feature, two acoustic, five bands, with indie rock and punk to the fore. The event is being held by independent label Honeypower Records, and is being entirely run by under-18s. Acts appearing are: Random Animals; Big Sky; Pinwheel 2; Waterworks; Blue Wire; Orlaith, and Magazine Cowboy. Tickets on Eventbrite or at Bunker Vinyl. Check out @Honeypower Records on Instagram.