Theatre Nights: It’s curtain up for Cork's summer blockbuster

Tonight’s the night, and no mistake!

That eagerly-awaited big production of The Sound Of Music opens at the Opera House to a fully sold-out house, and with many of the performances over the next few weeks already sold out too. They have even had to add in an extra week at the end, extending the run right through to August 23.

But don’t take it for granted that you will just be able to stroll in and get tickets on the night – better to book right now!

Meanwhile, as you read this, every single person in the Opera House is on tiptoe with nervous excitement as curtain up comes closer and closer. With Wendy Carr as Maria, Matt Blaker as Captain von Trapp, and Majella Cullagh as Mother Abbess, it is going to be a night – and a run – to remember. Good luck everyone! Booking on 021 427 0022 or www.corkoperahouse.ie.

Right in the middle of a fine summer, it might seem a little daft to be talking about panto, but over at Everyman they are already well under way with preparations for that great classic, Jack And The Beanstalk next Christmas.

It takes a long time for a panto to be organised, and the usual thing is to start planning as soon as the curtain is down on the previous one. Jack And The Beanstalk takes quite a bit of work, as you have more than the usual considerations of plot and scenery – that great big beanstalk, for example, and the giant himself take some design work well beforehand, as well as having backstage staff ready to cope with them. Find all the info on www.everymancork.com or ring 021 4501673 if you want to book well ahead for the ISL or relaxed performances.

Cork Arts Theatre hosts Violet Gibson: The Woman Who Shot Mussolini as this week’s lunchtime and supper theatre presentation.

This determined Irishwoman created chaos at the time and a legend thereafter, and Alice Barry is mesmerising in the role. Today and tomorrow at 1pm, tonight until Saturday at 8pm.

Next week, it’s the very happy return of Ger Fitzgibbon’s wonderful Four Faced Liar, which brings its audience on a night journey through the landscape of Cork city and its inhabitants under the shadow of our iconic Shandon. This show sold out last time, and will probably do so again.

Cast: Maxine Acton, Trish Burke, Jack Healy, Michael Ryan, Niamh Santry 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com for all bookings.

At the Briery Gap in Macroom next Thursday, July 30, there is a chance to see and hear Peter Broderick & the Winterage Men live in concert. Broderick celebrates ten years living in Ireland with this show, accompanied by his best friends, the Winterage Men.

They meet yearly in the Burren for the annual Winterage, an ancient farming tradition where hundreds of people gather to lead herds of cattle up the mountain, and this happy habit has become a tradition that has finally made its way to the stage. Expect fiddles, a good bit of craic, true camaraderie and warm vibes. 083 143 6884 or www.brierygap.ie.

The West Cork Fit Up Festival is in full swing. This week’s featured play is Catalpa, written by Donal O’Kelly for Blood in the Alley Productions and directed by Geoff Gould. The true story of a band of Fenians and their audacious jail break from the colonial prison in Freemantle, Australia, it’s a theatrical thrill ride, performed by Andrew Musselman, and will be staged at Timoleague Community Hall tonight, Sherkin Community Hall tomorrow night, Friday, the Lecture Theatre on Bere Island on Saturday, and Ballydehob on Sunday. 8pm in all venues.

Next week it’s Synapses, presented by Gúna Nua Theatre, at all kinds of venues, from Whiddy Island to Timoleague. Log on to their website and find all the wonderful places in West Cork you can enjoy live theatre! https://www.fit-uptheatrefestival.com/about-us/.