Theatre Nights: Touring theatre, comedy, and music 

It’s high summer and touring theatre is in its element.

We are now into the second week of the West Cork Fit-up Festival, which runs throughout July and August, and there are some lively shows on in 11 separate locations, including Ballydehob, Sherkin Island, Bere Island, Heir Island, Whiddy Island, Timoleague, Drimoleague, Glengarriff, and Whiddy Island.

Family and free children’s events are also catered for with the Wobbly Circus and clown performances and workshops.

Tonight in Glengarriff Community Hall, it’s The Ballad Of Mossy Flood by Big Guerilla Productions. Mossy goes the long way around a story, making us laugh as well as think twice as we listen. Written, directed and performed by Seamus O’Rourke.

Tomorrow night on Sherkin Island the play is Indigestion; on Saturday on Bere Island, The Handyman; and on Sunday in Ballydehob, The Reverend. And lots more to come! All shows start at 8pm; full details on https://www.fit-uptheatrefestival.com/.

Libera, the internationally-renowned boys’ choir, are touring Ireland this summer. Their ethereal sound has enchanted audiences worldwide, although the boys, aged 7-16, are said to think of themselves not so much as choirboys, but rather an alternative kind of boy band!

Be that as it may, Libera’s recordings regularly feature in album charts. Last November, the new album Dream soared high in the classical charts, featuring trademark Libera arrangements and original music in a variety of styles alongside classical favourites such as reinterpretations of Beethoven’s Pathétique Sonata, Lizst’s Liebesträume, and Dvorak’s New World Symphony.

Libera are at St Colman’s Cathedral, Cobh on Friday, July 25, at St Canice Cathedral, Kilkenny on Saturday, July 26, and The Lark in Balbriggan on Thursday, July 31, all performances at 7pm.

Tickets available now on libera.org.uk/summer-2025.

A West Cork family murder mystery is proving to be just the ticket at the Everyman, with audiences enjoying every moment of this drama, The Beacon, by Nancy Harris, directed by Sara Joyce.

It must finish this Saturday, though, so if you haven’t got there yet, be quick!

Coming up on July 25 is A Manford For All Seasons, featuring acclaimed comedian Jason Manford, and from July 29 to Aug 10, Barn Theatre’s production of that delightful comedy Stones In His Pockets, which captures the chaos in a rural Irish village when a genuine Hollywood studio team arrive to film the latest historic blockbuster. Told through the cynical eyes of two locals taken on as extras, it’s enormous fun.

Evening shows and matinees too for that production. Call 021 450 1673 or see www.everymancork.com for all bookings.

A busy summer season is under way at Cork Arts Theatre, with a new show every Wednesday to Saturday, both matinees and evening performances.

Until Saturday, The Smuggler tells the story of an Irish immigrant trying to make it in an affluent Massachusetts summer colony. Next week, it’s Padraig Potts, written and performed by Seamus O’Rourke, who creates a man looking back at the follies, the errors, the great events of his life. And more great shows all summer.

For lunchtime performances (Thursday and Friday), patrons can choose either a Show & Lunch ticket that includes a sandwich & tea or coffee, served from noon until ten minutes before the performance time at 1pm, or a Show Only ticket. Evening shows 8pm. Booking for all shows at the Cork Arts Theatre on 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com.

Christy Moore is at the INEC Arena in Killarney this Saturday , while Shillelagh Law are in the ballroom the same night. Ronan Collins takes over that ballroom on Sunday with his ever-popular Showband Hits (both those free to Gleneagle residents), 064 667 1555 or www.inec.ie for all bookings.