Theatre Nights: Six actors to play 60 characters in unique Cork play.. plus plenty of comedy and song

Here is some good news for theatregoers who love the history of our city and its multi-faceted culture.

Ger Fitzgibbon’s Four Faced Liar will be staged by Theatre Makers Limited at the Cork Arts Theatre for a week from March 3.

You may remember that this little gem was originally done as a podcast from the Everyman stage during covid (how strangely long ago that seems now!); and then featured in an abridged version by RTÉ Radio Drama in the spring of 2025. Now, though, you are going to get the chance to see and hear it in full and in the flesh, so to speak.

“When I wrote it, the intention was to do it before a live audience - very much in the same way as Under Milk Wood,” explains Ger. “You can guess the theme – what if Shandon, the guardian deity of our city, were to speak through all of its four faces, noting everything that went on around it, from the lofty heights of the northside to the snug, smug depths of Douglas?

“We have assembled a cast of six fine Cork actors playing over 60 characters. It’s a tribute to everything that Shandon means and has meant over the past 300 years.”

This is one everyone who loves Leeside and the haunting echo of those bells should not miss. Four Faced Liar is at the Cork Arts Theatre from March 3.

In the meantime, Leeside Voices are at that self-same theatre this weekend with Broadway Favourites, featuring Anne Bermingham, Tom Doyle, Eithne Horgan, Denis Lane, Aileen Scriven, Miren Somers, and Noel Somers. All those great musical hits you know and love. Friday and Saturday, 7.30pm, matinee Sunday at 2.30pm.

Next Tuesday-Saturday, February 24-28, CADA are back on stage with Music Madness, produced by Catherine Mahon-Buckley and directed by Jessica O’Connell-Boyle. Dazzling performances, great atmosphere. 7pm start, note.

All bookings on 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com.

That superb singer Eddi Reader is at the Everyman tonight. Jason Byrne’s Head In The Clouds on Saturday is already sold out, but they got another date out of him on April 25, so you might yet be lucky.

Sunday brings Christine Bovill with Piaf Revisited, offering a wonderful interpretation of French songs (7.30pm), and next Tuesday the Patrician Academy Players of Mallow stage that most iconic of Keane’s plays, Sive. Directed by Monica White, it brings the searing observation of the playwright and the human tragedy to life with intensity. 7pm start. 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com.

Now for heaven’s sake, how do they do this at the Opera House? Foil, Arms & Hogg are on stage from tonight until Sunday, but they are completely sold out. So are Smokie on Monday night, as are K-Pop Forever on Tuesday!

That last one has another date shoehorned in, though, for May 14, so get down there quick.

Still some seats for One Night Of Adele on Wednesday next, starring The Voice UK finalist Naomi Johnson, but those are going fast too. Smart programming there!

Call 021 427 0022 or see www.corkoperahouse.ie.

Don’t forget, the Ortús Chamber Music Festival opens this Saturday and runs to March 1. Now in its 11th edition, it will take place in leading venues across Cork city, including the Aula Maxima, University College Cork, the MTU Cork School of Music, and St Peter’s Cork, alongside a rich programme of concerts and events in Cork county, with performances in Bantry, Tracton Arts Centre, and Dripsey Castle Estate.

Full details on ortusfestival.ie.

And finally, a reminder from the Cork Arts Theatre that the deadline for submissions to the Short Play event, Views From A Deckchair, is fast approaching.

Yes, you have to have your ten-minute piece (no longer than that, remember) in by Monday, March 2, so stop playing Solitaire on your phone and get typing!

Email theatre@corkartstheatre.com if you need more info.