Theatre Nights: A dark mystery... and comics galore

Previewing from tomorrow night at The Everyman is Nancy Harris’s The Beacon. First commissioned by Druid in 2019, and recently produced by the Irish Rep in New York, now it’s time for its long-awaited Cork premiere.

Beiv, a celebrated feminist artist, is renovating a house on an island in West Cork. Her ex-husband died in mysterious circumstances a decade ago and the body was never found.

Colm, her estranged son, has returned from San Francisco with his new wife looking for answers, but must confront secrets from his own past.

A deep, dark family mystery about family, sexuality and the subjectivity of art, The Beacon asks: can we ever really know the truth of a person, place or work of art? And if we could, would we want to?

A major new production, directed by Sara Joyce, this features Geraldine Hughes, Leonard Buckley, Ross O’Donnellan, Ayoola Smart, and Stephen O’Leary, and runs all the way through to Saturday, July 19. Previews Friday, Saturday, Monday, official opening night July 8, 7.30pm, with Saturday matinees 2pm.

Plus, post-show talk, ISL performance, and audio-described performance on various dates – see www.everymancork.com for all the details or ring 021 450 1673.

Also coming up at Everyman this summer, the hit Irish comedy Stones in His Pockets by Marie Jones, Mother Of All The Behans with Imelda May; and a stage adaptation of international bestseller The Girl on the Train, starring Laura Whitmore. Plenty to enjoy there! All bookings as above.

Seconds is at the Opera House tonight for just one performance, on its way to the Edinburgh Fringe, and it’s for over 16s only.

It delves into the complexities of heartache, loneliness and redemption through two women’s stories.

Sandra is a first-time mother living rurally, her vision for motherhood not working out, and harbouring a secret. Jenny is heartbroken and cynical, reeling from a failed romance. Her day-to-day dealings are interrupted by gut-punching realisations that she is once again alone. The show is on in The Green Room, note.

Tomorrow it’s Mack Fleetwood, and Saturday Leo Sayer, with tickets for both selling out rapidly! Don’t we get great choice at the Opera House! Call 021 427 0022 or see www.corkoperahouse.ie.

A great show for the kids this Saturday at Cork Arts Theatre, Roald Dahl’s Little Red Riding Hood And The Wolf, a hilarious 60 minute musical performed by a talented team of young actors.

Directed by Orla Palliser, with choreography by Caitlin O’Callaghan, it’s at 3 and 6pm. Next week, Wednesday to Saturday, it’s Allison, by Mike O’Dowd, starring Pierce Joseph, a darkly comic drama exploring themes of obsessive infatuation, social alienation and toxic masculinity. 8pm nightly, 1pm show also Thursday and Friday. 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com.

At City Limits - The Comedy Club in Coburg Street tomorrow and Saturday night, the first of the Summer Series, which will feature every Friday and Saturday during July. Simply the best comedians in Cork, with international surprise guests too, most on their way to the Edinburgh Fringe.

This weekend will feature Paul Crowley, Micheal The B Roche, Mark O’Keeffe, Leslie Martinez, Aaron McCarthy, Chris McShane, and a guest from New York, Nancy O’Connor. See www.thecomedyclub.ie or 085 257 3480. Tickets also on the door if available. To hold email tickets@thecomedyclub.ie. Doors 8pm, show 9pm.

Finally, the West Cork Literary Festival runs from July 11-18, with well-known names arriving in Bantry.

Richard E. Grant will be there, Graham Norton, children’s writer Patricia Forde who is Laureate na nÓg, and so many more.

Check it all out on https://www.westcorkmusic.ie/literary-festival/.