Theatre Nights: Feast of heritage, and Whitmore too

Hey, it’s National Heritage Week 2025 kicking off this Saturday, August 16! So many events and exhibitions all over Cork city and county.

One of the most interesting being offered here in the city is Raising The Curtain On Cork City’s Amateur Dramatic Heritage, 1923-1930, which will be presented by Dr Fiona Brennan at Hollyhill Library in Knocknaheeny on Saturday, followed by Tuesday-Saturday next week, between 10am and 5.30pm.

We have always had such a brilliant tradition of amateur dramatics, operatics, music and dance in our city, giving everyone such a great opportunity to get their feet on the boards, discover their talents, and support the professionals, so this will be a good one to attend.

Another popular exhibition will be Cork Rocks For Rory at the music library in the City Library on the Grand Parade, August 16-23, excluding Sunday. That’s also 10am to 5.30pm.

“A celebration of all things Rory Gallagher, we will have a series of exhibition boards that will portray his life from the early years on and a display of his much-loved crime novels,” say the organisers.

If dance is more your thing, don’t miss the guided tours of Dance Cork Firkin Crane this Saturday. They take place from 11.30am to 12.15pm; 12.30pm to 1.15pm; and 1.30pm to 2.15pm. See where it all happens, where great performances are born.

There is so much more on all over the city and county. Displays, ’orrible ’istories, fishing tragedies, a seaweed workshop, copper mines, nature walks… check out heritageweek.ie for everything, and find yourself unable to decide which should be first on your list!

Taylor Fever, the ultimate tribute to the sensational Taylor Swift, is driving ’em wild at the Opera House right now. Last night was completely sold out, with a few tickets left for tonight at 8pm, and the Saturday 2pm matinee. Saturday night is sold out, with a few seats remaining for the Sunday matinee and evening shows. That’s right now, but they won’t be there long.

In between, tomorrow (Friday) night, it’s Thanks For The Dance, The Leonard Cohen Story, with Robert Doyle relating stories and anecdotes about Cohen’s life between wonderful renditions of the Canadian singer/songwriter’s hits. The stage is set like Cohen’s last world tour and features a visual display of his life running in the background. 7.30pm start.

The Heritage Week tour of the Opera House is sold out, but on Tuesday, August 19, Sharon van Etten and The Attachment Theory have an exhilarating blend of her sound and songwriting. www.corkoperahouse.ie or 021 427 0022.

At Everyman, Mother of All the Behans, starring Imelda May, is currently enthralling audiences, but it must end Sunday.

On Saturday morning, the ever-popular Behind The Scenes tour is back, as part of National Heritage Week. That is free, but you do need to book, since space is an issue.

Then Wednesday-Sunday next week, the eagerly-awaited The Girl On The Train, starring Laura Whitmore as the enigmatic heroine of this psychological thriller.

Contact the Everyman box office on 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com on all bookings.

The Good Crank is this week’s Lunchtime & Supper Theatre offering at the Cork Arts Theatre. Written by Alan McMonagle and starring Rose Henderson, it’s the touching but witty story of Kitty Clog, an older woman at odds with the world she’s been squeezed into. 1pm today and tomorrow, 8pm evenings.

Next Wednesday-Saturday, it’s that classic Noel Coward vignette, Still Life. You might remember it better as 1940s film Brief Encounter, starring Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson, but this is the original and a must-see. Matinees 1pm Thursday and Friday, evenings at 8pm. All Arts Theatre bookings on 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com.