Theatre Nights: The thrills are alive at Cork Opera House as The Sound Of Music hits stage

The hills will most definitely be alive in Cork next Thursday, July 23, when The Sound Of Music opens at the Opera House.

Such has been the excitement engendered by this huge summer production that many performances sold out almost immediately, and demand for the other shows has been so phenomenal that the theatre has had to extend the entire thing by another week, with performances now running up to August 23!

Directed by Davey Kelleher, the cast features Wendy Carr as Maria, Matt Blaker as Captain von Trapp, and Majella Cullagh as Mother Abbess, with a stellar professional supporting cast, emerging artists from Cork School of Music, and junior performers from stage schools all over Cork in the roles of the von Trapps.

The largest professional musical that has ever been produced in-house, it boasts an impressive 45 cast members, a 16-piece orchestra, and a stacked off-stage crew of over 100.

“I am so enjoying our rehearsals for this,” says Majella Cullagh. “After the first few I realised that I had fallen in love with The Sound Of Music all over again. It is so incredibly written, the characters are so well drawn, and the music is incomparable. I really am honoured to be part of such a wonderful production.”

Booking for The Sound Of Music on 021 427 0022 or www.corkoperahouse.ie.

Mallow Arts Festival opens on Wednesday, July 22, with a special tribute show by Cork Youth Ballet Company dancers honouring the late Joan Denise Moriarty.

That powerful and tireless woman played a pivotal role in creating an awareness of ballet in Cork at a time when there was very little recognition of the art form here.

Raising the genre from near-nothing to widespread approval and a huge following, she also gave thousands of young people the opportunity to study the classical art to the strictest, highest standards.

In addition, JDM championed a revival of our own culture and heritage in folklore pieces like Macha Ruadh, Twisting Of The Rope, and of course Playboy Of The Western World. At the Hibernian Hotel in Mallow next Wednesday, you too can pay tribute to a remarkable woman whose impact on Cork and on Ireland was incredible. 7pm start. Tickets from eventbrite.ie.

Other events in the festival include the original psychedelic rock group Dr Strangely Strange, Fermoy band Loudest Whisper, soprano Maureen Flynn, special kids’ events, and Nick Kelly live at Kepplers. Get more info from https://mallowartsfestival.com/2026.

At the Briery Gap in Macroom this Friday, Paul Thomas Anderson’s star-studded modern film classic, Boogie Nights. More film on Monday and Wednesday of next week with Trad, a poignant Irish comedy-drama. And advance notice of something really special coming up on Fri day August 7, as The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner. Coleridge’s haunting tale of an ill-fated sea voyage, is brought thrillingly to life by The Hungry Grass Theatre Company. In the hands of master storyteller John O’Mahony, it’s a gripping hour of live theatre, blending evocative music, vivid recounting, and striking stagecraft. Call 083 143 6884 or see www.brierygap.ie.

The Komodo Heart by Roger Gregg is this week’s presentation at the Cork Arts Theatre, with performances from tonight until Saturday at 8pm. Children’s fantasy author Karl McCarthy has at last completed his new work – but it’s not at all what his agent expected. A highly imaginative production, it grapples with the delusions and torments of damaged men. 18+, as there are adult themes and strong language.

Next week, they’re back to lunchtime & supper shows at Cork Arts Theatre with Violet Gibson: The Woman Who Shot Mussolini, written and performed by Alice Barry, and directed by Jason Byrne.

In 1926, Irish woman Violet fired on Mussolini in Rome — grazing the dictator’s nose. A century later, that moment feels eerily current.

Thursday and Friday, 1pm; evening shows Wednesday-Saturday, 8pm. 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com.