Theatre Nights: Bilingual panto, Spillane gig, and festive songs

Here is something a little bit different in the way of pantomime – a bilingual performance, no less, at the Cork Arts Theatre.

Hercules agus An Bradán Feasa opens tomorrow night introducing young Hercules, son of the goddess Ériu, as he battles the mischievous Hades, who’s cooking up a plan to take over the world.

Written by Antóin Ó Dúllaing, and directed by Aisling Nic Cárthaigh, it’s a great way to introduce the little ones to the beauty of our native language. Friday, December 12 & 19 at 7pm; Saturday, December 13 & 20 at both 1pm and 7pm. Booking on 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com.

While Aladdin continues to pack in the younger theatregoers by day at the Opera House, the Improv Panto is proving a huge draw for those who enjoy a later evening out with friends.

Every night is different; you never know what is going to happen next, and one can only admire the cast which has the task of adopting and adapting the zany suggestions put forward by the audience.

You could go to this one twice, three times (if you could get a ticket) and see an entirely different show each time! It’s 10.30pm start, Friday and Saturday this week, then Friday-Sunday, December 19-21, and Saturday-Monday, December 27-29. Booking as for the main panto, 021 427 0022 or www.corkoperahouse.ie.

A delightful event takes place at Our Lady Crowned Church in Mayfield tomorrow night, December 12, when you are invited to a festive evening of song featuring the church’s own choir and guests, conducted by Michael Joyce. Tickets €10, but all children go free, while there will be a spot prize on entry ticket, plus an exciting raffle for hampers and other good things.

What a nice community evening! Tickets from the Church Parish Office, and on the door tomorrow night (if there are any left!).

Cinderella at the Everyman ticks all the boxes when it comes to traditional festive entertainment, with all the songs, dances, romance, and happy endings you could hope for, salted all the way through with sharp topical observations and up-to-date characters, like Cinderella’s father, the upwardly-mobile Baron, furious at having lost ‘De Election’, and Buttons dreaming of a wild, wandering life when he just might get to see in reality far-off places like Cobh – or even Killeagh!

Very well directed, with a polished cast from the principals to the tiniest tots. No wonder tickets are going fast. Access performances too, in early January – for all the details log on to their website or ask at the box office.

And it wouldn’t be Christmas at Everyman without an appearance by our very own John Spillane, who returns for his annual concert spectacular following a series of sold-out shows throughout the year.

When Hot Press called him one of the last of the great bards, they got it right. His Fíoruisce – The Legend of the Lough was a truly transcendental winner of the RTÉ Folk Album of the Year.

That event is on the solstice, Sunday, December 21, and what better way to mark the turning of the Celtic year?

We must mention something exciting coming up at Everyman in late January, as you and your kids won’t want to miss it.

Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers presents Piobaire na Linne Duibhe (The Pied Piper of Blackpool), an entirely new bilingual musical, based on the ancient legend, but transposed to the history, places, people and songs of our own Cork Northside.

Can the Lord Mayor and his family find the Pied Piper of Blackpool and save the children who are banished to Cnoc na hAoine? Be there and join the search!

It’s on Monday, January 26 at 7pm, and as far as we know, that’s the only performance, so don’t miss it! All bookings for Everyman on 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com.