Theatre Nights: Music Fest, outdoor theatre, and dance bonanza in Cork 

The West Cork Chamber Music Festival opens tomorrow, June 26, in Bantry, and runs to July 5, offering a whole ten days of world-class music-making.

This year’s theme is ‘Music in Time of War’, and reflections on conflict, displacement and artistic resilience run through all the works presented, with a special focus on Ukraine, represented by violinist Diana Tishchenko, pianist Anna Fedorova, and works by two Ukrainian composers.

The 250 years of American independence are also marked, with the Calidore and the Attacca Quartets, plus works by U.S composers including David Lang, Philip Glass and Caroline Shaw.

As ever, international quartets form the programme’s backbone, joined by a distinguished roster of soloists like Mairéad Hickey, Lotte Betts-Dean, Andreas Brantelid, José Gallardo, Jérémie Moreau, Ben Goldscheider, Delta Piano Trio, Concerto 1700, New Dublin Voices and the Gregory Walkers.

Mairéad Hickey performs in the West Cork Chamber Music Festival

There is still time to catch Pool, No Water underneath the Metropole, presented by the Everyman as part of the Midsummer Festival, but it must end Saturday.

Coming up next week on the Everyman stage itself is Through Irish Eyes, a celebration of our native music, song, and dance. That’s Wednesday-Saturday, July 1-4, at varying times of the evening. Check it all out on www.everymancork.com or on 021 450 1673.

Tides Of Tradition, which has been a huge success at Acton’s Hotel in Kinsale, is now coming to the Firkin Crane this Saturday, June 27, showcasing an all-star cast of local dancers and musicians, many of whom have already toured internationally.

There is more dance at the Firkin Crane on July 3/4, with the premiere of The Act Of Existing, a provocative new dance work by choreographer Philip Connaughton for Croí Glan. The audience is invited into a live encounter with the dancers, highlighting how marginalised communities have been historically subjected to societal control. This is the 20th anniversary of Croí Glan, one of our most worthwhile experimental dance companies. Call 021 450 7487 or www.dancecorkfirkincrane.ie for all the details and bookings.

At Cork Arts Theatre next week, July 1-4, is Marion Wyatt’s BOLD, with both lunchtime and evening performances. A young girl is determined to make her life in theatre. But choosing your own path comes at a cost. Warm, funny, and deeply truthful, it is a story about persistence, self-belief, and the courage to stand your ground. Call 021 450 5624 or see www.corkartstheatre.com.

Now for something perfect for long summer evenings - Shakespeare in the Gardens, at Fota House on Saturday and Sunday, July 11/12. Limited audiences of just 25 people at a time will move through the arboretum there to discover six specially chosen Shakespeare scenes in wonderful natural locations. No stage, no set, the garden itself is the production design.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream naturally, Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, Measure For Measure, and a glorious romp from The Merry Wives Of Windsor. The Bard himself would most certainly have approved!

“When you place Shakespeare in a space as extraordinary as Fota House gardens, the plays come alive in a way no theatre building can replicate, says Kieran O’Leary, Chairman of the Cork Shakespearean Company. “This is Shakespeare for everyone - families, young adults, life-long theatre lovers and people who have never seen Shakespeare before.” See www.bookings.fotahouse.com/