Theatre Nights: Must-see Christmas concerts, comedy and pantos

That much-loved classic Cinderella, now running at the Everyman, is certainly worth seeing.

Director Catherine Mahon-Buckley has created a wonderworld of music, song, dance and fun, built around a sharply observant and topical script, plus innovative film clips that add even more magic.

At the first performance, I was sitting next to Dee Perrott whose 10-year-old daughter Darcie was taking part for the first time. As the younger members of the cast danced out on to the boards, Dee could barely contain her excitement. “Look how happy she is, how confident!”

Darcie started with CADA two years ago and her interest has grown with each class. “They have to audition for the pantomime, and show that they have not only the dancing skills but also the determination, reliability, and dependability that you have to have as part of something as big as pantomime,” explains Dee.

She shows me the complex calendar with Darcie’s appearances noted in red. “She will be in 19 performances overall between now and mid-January. The whole household is with her in this – it’s so exciting. It will take over our Christmas, that’s for sure!”

Panto is one of the greatest ways to introduce children to theatre, whether on the stage or in the audience, and Cinderella certainly ticked all the boxes for Saturday’s audience. Great fun. 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com.

Meanwhile, plaudits for the family-friendly extravaganza that is Aladdin over at the Opera House, with Frank Mackey as Nanny Nellie and Michael Grennell as Abanazar, under the directorial hand of Trevor Ryan.

Sold out on its opening night, Aladdin is unlikely to see many empty seats between now and mid-January. Book soon!

And of course, the alternative version is opening late tomorrow night. The Improv Panto is where absolutely anything can happen and usually does! The ideal place to end up your evening with friends. 10.30pm start, and it runs up to and after Christmas.

Somehow, The Opera House Christmas Concert manages to fit itself in there, on December 15 & 16, but they are sold out for the Monday, and down to the last few tickets for the Tuesday. 021 427 0022 or www.corkoperahouse.ie for all bookings.

The very popular 10x10 Minute Play event is on all this week at the Cork Arts Theatre, with ten great short shows every night.

And from Wednesday of next week, December 10, right up to December 20, you and the kids can delight in Hercules agus An Bradán Feasa, the unique bilingual pantomime, written by Antóin Ó Dúllaing and directed by Aisling Nic Cárthaigh. Morning and evening performances. www.corkartstheatre.com or 021 450 5624.

City Limits at The Comedy Club this Saturday showcases the legendary Colin Murphy who really has done it all: 20 series of The Blame Game, over 100 appearances on The Panel, six series of the cult classic Blizzard of Odd, and more. That’s besides touring - Montreal to Melbourne, New York to Edinburgh, Shanghai to Madrid, plus every county in Ireland.

Still to be performing stand-up at this level after 30 years, he must be doing something right! Doors 8pm, show 9pm. Tickets on door or in advance at www.tickets.ie.

At St Catherine’s Cultural Centre in Kinsale, they are delighted to be welcoming back Leah Song from Rising Appalachia, with Duncan Wickel, on Saturday, December 13, while on Saturday, December 18, Frankie Gavin and Catherine McHugh will be performing those wonderful reels and airs. www.info@scc.ie for details.

Don’t miss a chance to immerse yourself in that classic winter tale A Christmas Carol at Nano Nagle Place, from today until Sunday, nightly at 7pm, with matinees Saturday and Sunday at 3pm.

Don’t forget their Christmas Market, this weekend and next, December 13/14, 11am to 4pm. A Book Fair too on Saturday. Check it out on nanonagleplace.ie.