Theatre Nights: Trad music feast, and hip dance act

Te trad music festival, Masters Of Tradition, opened yesterday in Bantry and runs to Sunday, August 24, celebrating Irish and international musicianship.

The Ceolchoirm Rúnda (Secret Concert) on Whiddy Island today is already sold out, but there is another tomorrow at 12.30pm at St Brendan’s Church in Bantry town.

At 3.30pm today in Marino Church, Martin Hayes will be in conversation with Kate Ellis of Crash Ensemble, while the first of the wonderfully atmospheric concerts in Bantry House takes place tonight with Peter Browne, Lucia & Maria, Nada ni Chuirrin, Brian Conway, and Brendan Dolan.

So much more across the whole weekend. See https://www.westcorkmusic.ie/masters-of-tradition/ and don’t miss a moment of one of the best weekends of the year!

Something is also taking place down west – right out on the Beara peninsula, in fact - tomorrow. The High Tide Club in Lehanmore is presenting Counting Swans, written by Conor Montague and performed by Kieran Kelliher and Conor himself. It’s a tightly-crafted drama about a former all-Ireland hurler, now a broken hero, with a script that moves from tears to laughter, despondency to hope.

One night only, though – doors 7pm. Bookings: 086 1930 552 or at the door. Isn’t it great to have live theatre out in Beara?

The August Summer Series at City Limits - The Cork Comedy Club continues on Friday and Saturday with Paul Crowley and Micheal Roche tickling your ribs and creating laughter all round.

Corkman Crowley’s laconic style and easygoing manner blend brilliantly with Kerryman Micheal (The B) Roche’s killer punchlines. Doors 8pm, show 8.45pm. Tickets, www.thecomedyclub.ie, 085 257 3480, or on the door.

Conor Moore’s Me, Myself, And Them is sold out at the Opera House tomorrow, but they persuaded him to do another show next Wednesday, August 27.

Expect razor-sharp takes on GAA legends and pitch-perfect impressions of politicians.

Coming up on Sunday night is an unmissable production of Humperdinck’s Hansel und Gretel, part of the celebrations for this great theatre’s 170th anniversary. Cork mezzo-soprano Niamh O’Sullivan (Hänsel) and Wexford soprano Kelli-Ann Masterson (Gretel) are joined by Rory Dunne, Bríd Ní Ghruagáin and Emma Nash, with the Opera House Concert Orchestra conducted by Elaine Kelly.

Directed by Davey Kelleher, this semi-staged performance of the ultimate fairytale opera is sung in German with English surtitles. Tickets are going fast. 021 427 0022 or www.corkoperahouse.ie.

Gripping psychological thriller, The Girl On The Train, is enthralling audiences at the Everyman, but must end Saturday - 8pm nightly, plus Saturday matinee at 2pm.

Next Wednesday, August 27, for one night, dance show Birds will premiere at Everyman ahead of its Dublin Fringe Festival run.

Co-produced by Promenade, The Civic and The Everyman, in association with Circus Factory and Pitch’d Circus & Street Arts Festival, it features highly innovative dance troupe, Kundle Cru.

Breakdancing, juggling, Chinese pole and contemporary dance blend together to create a genre-defying show. See it here in Cork before anyone in Dublin! 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com.

Don’t forget Still Life at Cork Arts Theatre – a rare chance to see the original Coward playlet that became Brief Encounter! From Welsh touring company Lighthouse, it packs so much drama and passion into 50 minutes. 1pm today and tomorrow, 8pm nightly until Saturday.

Next Tuesday to Saturday, Getaway Outta That is billed as The Improv Summer Holiday Extravanganza from the team who brought us The Improvised Panto and Improvised Murder Mystery.

Call 021 450 5624 or see www.corkartstheatre.com for more on that.