Theatre Nights: Your guide to what's on Cork stages this week 

Simply The Best, tonight at the Opera House, brings a top class tribute to the late Tina Turner by Cork’s own Rebecca O’Connor.

Inspired by Tina’s music and presence from a young age, Rebecca won Stars In Their Eyes at the tender age of 17 and has since been established as one of the finest Turner tribute artists. 8pm start. Call 021 427 0022 or see www.corkoperahouse.ie.

At the Everyman tomorrow night (Friday), Scotland’s queen of comedy Fern Brady is back by popular demand with I Gave You Milk to Drink 8pm.

On Saturday and Sunday, the students of Super Stars Cork present their end-of-year show, Shine. A feelgood, not-to-be-missed event for all ages. 6.30pm each day, plus an early matinee on Sunday at 12.30pm. Call 021 450 1673 or see www.everymancork.com.

Currently drawing crowds at the Cork Arts Theatre, Katie Holly’s Diva is a tale of two tough women and what happens when they clash. Norma manages wedding bands, Aine is a no-nonsense garda who stops at nothing to get to the truth. Irene Kelleher and Laura Harte star, directed by Laura O’Mahony. Until Saturday at 8pm nightly.

Next week, from Wednesday to Saturday, the theatre has The Dowry, presented by Lee Side Drama Group. Written by Derry Cotter, and directed by John McCaffrey, it tells of the Barry family entangled in an intricate web of tradition, expectations, and duty, in the heart of a 1950s rural Irish village. Call 021 450 5624 or see www.corkartstheatre.com for all bookings.

At the Glen Theatre in Banteer this Saturday, May 30, Last Train From Holyhead, written and directed by Bernard Field.

Two men meet by chance on a late-night boat train to London. Through the intervention of a mysterious gypsy woman, they discover their true relationship — as father and long-abandoned son.

As well as being based on the truth of recent history, the play is a gripping, edge of the seat drama. 8pm start. Book at www.glentheatre.ie or phone 029 56239 (Ext 1).

Tomorrow night (Friday), The Pension Plan is staged at the Briery Gap in Macroom. A highly entertaining play, presented by the Carnegie Players of Kenmare, it features bachelor brothers Eugene and Sneachta Flanagan, whose peaceful routine on their quiet hillside farm is thrown into disarray by an unexpected visit from the Pensions Department – plus a determined neighbour with plans of her own!

Written by John McDwyer, it features Pádraig Rochford, Bernie O’Sullivan, Susan Hennessy and Brendan Grant.

Saturday night brings West Cork singer-songwriter Molly O’Mahony, one of Ireland’s most compelling new voices. Her latest album, Waiting on the World, captures her gift of weaving resilience and tenderness into melody. 8pm.

Booking on 083 143 6884 or www.brierygap.ie.

It’s a bank holiday weekend coming up, and at City Limits - The Cork Comedy Club, no fewer than five comedians are giving of their best: Kerryman Micheal (The Bar) Roche, Paul Crowley, Aaron Chandler, Mark O’Keeffe and Maanadh. show 8.45pm. See www.thecomedyclub.ie, www.tickets.ie, or call 085 257 3480.

There is still just time to get to Faces and Places, a major exhibition depicting well known personalities from Cork’s past, at the Frank O’Connor Library in Mayfield, but it must close this coming Sunday, May 31.

Featuring new and recent work by celebrated Cork artist Kieran O’Callaghan, it invites visitors to take a step back in time.

Among the portraits are Tomás MacCurtain, Rory Gallagher, Michael Collins, and Frank O’Connor, while a particular highlight is a charcoal sketch depicting the ruins of Cork City Hall following its burning in 1920.

To view O’Callaghan’s full collection, visit bealnablathart.com.