Theatre Nights: Flannery play, Doireann Garrihy, and Fringe Festival 

Last night saw the long-awaited opening of The House Must Win from Rosa Productions at the Everyman.

With music, lyrics, and book by Mick Flannery, and directed by Julie Kelleher, it’s a gritty new musical drama, with legendary comedian, actor and broadcaster Tommy Tiernan making his musical theatre debut in the role of Ray.

The cast also includes Tabitha Smyth, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Niall McNamee, John McCarthy, Orlagh de Bhaldraithe, and Damian Kearney. To May 16. 021 450 16723 or www.everymancork.com.

Doireann Garrihy is at the Opera House tonight with The Laughs Of Your Life Live!

The Performers Academy bring their end of year show tomorrow in Gotta Sing Gotta Dance 2026, directed by Irene Warren and Caoimhe Birch. Check out the super-talented stars of tomorrow, but remember it’s a 6.30pm start and tickets are almost gone.

Then, on Saturday night, it’s the special Joe Corbett Celebration, with a star-studded cast. In alphabetical order: Eva Corbett, Majella Cullagh, Mary Hegarty, Molly Lynch, John Molloy, Ryan Morgan, Richard Morris, and Kim Sheehan. Musical direction will be by John O’Brien, and adding to the sense of occasion will be the combined choirs of The St Vincent’s Male Voice Choir and The Clogheen Kerrypike Group, director, Deborah O’Regan, Good Vibrations Choir. director, Trish Rooney, and The Cork Pops Orchestra. All proceeds from this go to the Irish Cancer Society.

Students from the Alan Foley Academy are at the Opera House on Sunday with Dance Offering 2026, showcasing every genre from classical ballet to jazz movement.

The students will be accompanied by special guest artistes from Cork City Ballet and Studio D. Just one performance, with a 5pm start, and another one that’s selling out fast. 021 427 0022 or www.corkoperahouse.ie.

The Cork Fringe Festival is in full swing this weekend, with more than 50 performances across 15 venues in the city. The opening party and Disco Infernal at The Pav tomorrow night will be hosted by DJ Candy Warhol.

The line-up includes works by Cork-based artists and international performers. Productions include Alison Teahan’s The Girls Room at Cork Theatre Collective Studio and John of Thrones, an immersive performance by John Spillane at Elizabeth Fort.

International artists include comedians Eryn Tett and Chris Dupuis, alongside street-based performances from Carmel Clavin with Cork Liminal.

Additional programming includes The Pigeon Factory at The Granary, SeeThrough at Maureen’s, and The History of Art: A Clown Show at Dance Cork Firkin Crane. Get all the info on www.corkfringe.com.

Apocalypse How is on at Cork Arts Theatre tomorrow and Saturday, followed by Dyke on Dyke Road and Lady on the Rock, all as part of that same Cork Fringe Festival.

Next Tuesday, The Bold Ensemble present their all-new improv Thingimabob, a hilarious night of comedy sketches based on audience suggestions. Wednesday next sees the start of the 2026 Cork International Poetry Festival. All go at the CAT Club! 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com.

City Limits – The Cork Comedy Club this Saturday welcomes Australian star Thomas Green. 8.45pm, www.thecomedyclub.ietarget="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">, www.tickets.ie or 085 257 3480.

The Máirtín O’Connor Trio bring live music to the Briery Gap in Macroom tomorrow night, Friday, with special guest Kathleen MacInnes, offering an opportunity to hear the top practitioners in both Irish and Scottish folk music in one place.

The chaotic comedy, Don’t Tell Dad About Diana, is there on Saturday, and more live theatre the following Wednesday, May 13, as the Coachford Players present Nobody’s Talking To Me. You get it all in Macroom! All info on www.brierygap.ie or 083 143 6884.