Theatre Nights: A new opera at the Everyman..plus Sound of Music continues 

The Sound Of Music at the Opera House has been playing to packed houses.

This production is, quite simply, outstanding, from direction and casting to staging and music. The children (two talented casts of six taking alternate performances), the amazingly adaptable sets, the live orchestra, and the actors, all are part of a seamless whole that owes everything to director Davey Kelleher.

Wendy Carr is delightful as Maria, Matt Blaker gives feeling and heart to Captain von Trapp, and Ross Scanlon plays the wily Max in just the right way; but undisputably the most spine-chilling moments come from Majella Cullagh as Mother Abbess singing that legendary aria, Climb Ev’ry Mountain. It was the perfect choice to bring the first act down (the house too!); and when it was reprised at the final curtain, there wasn’t a dry eye in the auditorium.

If you see nothing else this summer, try to get a ticket for this show. Until August 23. 021 427 0022 or www.corkoperahouse.ie.

Now, here is something new and distinctly thought-provoking that you should see too. Missing, written and performed by award- winning choreographer, and founder of Croí Glan, Tara Brandel, will be performed at the Fit Up Festival in Ballydehob on Saturday and Sunday, August 1 & 2, and at the Pitch’d Festival in Circus Factory, Cork, on Sunday, August 16.

Three pivotal queer women whose voices and stories have been erased from history: Margaret Skinnider (led a battalion of men in the 1916 Uprising); Bronislava Nijinska (sister to Nijinsky and seminal European choreographer in the 1920s & 30s); and Irene Polo (Catalan journalist who wrote extensively on the Spanish Civil War).

Blending theatre with contemporary dance and elements of aerial, acrobatics, burlesque, and drag, it examines the whole notion of erasure and invisibility during the rise of the far right in 1930s Europe.

The Prometheus Project by Luke Murphy is at Dance Cork Firkin Crane this Friday and Saturday. This adaptation of the classic story of the god who gave fire to humans focuses on two people preparing to lose power, performed by Stephanie Croussilat and Eric Jackson Bradley respectively. See dancecorkfirkincrane.ie, or 021 450 7487.

Coming up at The Everyman on August 13, the concert performance of Cú Chulainn, a new opera by Éadaoin O’Donoghue and John O’Brien. A sequel to this duo’s opera Morrígan, and based on the characters of The Táin, it explores the story of Cú Chulainn and Ferdia, the intricacies of Queen Medb’s court, and the demise of Conor Mac Nessa. Featuring Niamh O’Sullivan, Rory Dunne, Gavan Ring, Ronald Samm, Rachel Croash, Brendan Collins, Gráinne Gillis, Viktor Priebe and chorus, with the Opera House Orchestra, conducted by John O’Brien.

And on August 14 & 15, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved Tales From Acorn Wood stories are brought to life on stage for the first time in an enchanting experience with songs and puppetry, sure to delight youngest theatregoers. Varying show times, including a relaxed performance on the Saturday morning, so check it out on www.everymancork.com or 021 450 1673.

At the City Limits - The Comedy Club tomorrow and Saturday, Mark O’Keeffe, Dave Savage, Maanadh, and James Hopkins do their thing. O’Keeffe is a regular on the Edinburgh Fringe, while Maanadh is an expert at describing in witty style his experiences as an Indian immigrant in Ireland. All in all, two great evenings promised.

8.45pm start. 085 257 3480 or www.thecomedyclub.ie.

Finally, a last chance to see Ger Fitzgibbon’s Four Faced Liar at Cork Arts Theatre, ending Saturday. We hear rumours the play is scheduled for publication, which is great! 8pm start.

Call 021 450 5624 or see www.corkartstheatre.com.