Theatre Nights: Behind the scenes tour ...plus drama and music

National Heritage Week begins this Saturday, running to August 23, with a marvellous programme of events all over Cork city and county. Talks, walks, opening of archives, plus entrance to all kinds of fascinating places on the special Open Day this Saturday. Check it all out on https://www.corkcity.ie/en/cork-heritage-open-day/events/. It’s countrywide, so if you happen to be travelling, check it all out before you head off.

At Everyman, a lovely treat for younger theatregoers this weekend, with Tales from Acorn Wood, based on the stories by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Poor old Fox has lost his socks! Who’s that keeping tired Rabbit awake? Join Pig and Hen’s game of hide-and-seek and discover the special surprise from Postman Bear. Sheer delight from start to finish. Tomorrow, Friday, at 2pm, three shows on Saturday, at 10.30am (special relaxed performance), 1.30pm, and 4pm.

A special trip behind the scenes on offer this Saturday, as part of Heritage Open Day. Will you spot the ghost? Certainly you will hear a few strange stories… Free, but booking essential. K-Pop All Stars are here Monday next, August 17, at both 2pm and 7pm, but tickets are selling fast. And coming up next Thursday (do they never stop for a rest at Everyman?) that great classic A Streetcar Named Desire, presented by Lee Promotions. All bookings on 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com.

Meanwhile, The Sound of Music continues its spectacular run at the Opera House, with capacity audiences at every show. A demanding run for the cast and crew, certainly, right up to August 23, although of course the Trapp children are played by two separate teams, the Rodgers and the Hammerstein, taking turns on alternate performances. Organise yourself quickly, as many dates are already sold out. 021 427 0022 or www.corkoperahouse.ie.

Masters of Tradition opens in Bantry next Wednesday. Highlights include legendary accordionist Charlie Piggott, performing alongside his son, fiddler and singer, Rowan Piggott, while The Weaving – featuring Méabh Ní Bheaglaoich, Owen Spafford, and Cáit Ní Riain – bring together the rich musical traditions of Kerry, Tipperary, and Yorkshire. Other highlights include Ciarán Ó Gealbháin and Louise Mulcahy, Portuguese musician Tiago Matias, cellist Clíodhna Ní Aodáin, and fiddle virtuoso Ryan Young. A particularly special event this year is the world premiere of Irish Rhapsody by Selena O’Neill (b. 1893), a pianist active in Chicago’s Irish music community. Best known for accompanying the collector Francis O’Neill, she had until recently never been recognised as a composer, and Irish Rhapsody is the first known example of her work in this role. All the details on www.westcorkmusic.ie.

Word Against the Word, Keith Dunphy’s story of a dyslexic actor with a dream, continues at the Cork Arts Theatre until Saturday at 8pm, with a lunchtime performance tomorrow also at 1pm.

Next week, from the team behind the Improv Panto, The Improv Murder Mystery and Getaway Outta That comes a brand-new theatrical riot Craic! The Improv Irish Play. You pick the classic Irish stereotypes, they’ll work them into the plot. Tues-Sat, Aug 18-22, 8pm. 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com.

At the Briery Gap in Macroom this Saturday, August 15, The White Raven Trio are joined by legendary Dundalk fiddler Gerry O’Connor in traditional songs and tunes that span generations. 8pm. Jimmy McCarthy Sunday next is already fully sold out, but you can join the wait list just in case…

The White Raven Trip with Gerry O'Connor are at the Briery Gap.