Theatre Nights: Packed season ahead at Macroom's Briery Gap

There was an exciting event in Macroom last night, as the Briery Gap launched its autumn/winter season, offering everything from comedy and drama through folk, traditional and classical music, Irish country, tribute nights, and film, to a magician, and the annual Christmas pantomime!

Comedian Chris Kent tonight and tomorrow is already sold out there, but the free Culture Night programme on September 18 looks very tempting: first, where patrons can join a gifted pianist on stage for a performance of improvised meditation music; and then the wonderful Irish Guitar Quartet. Admission for both is free, as are most events on Culture Night, but you do need to book in advance.

So what else is coming up in the Briery Gap season? John Philip Murray’s jazz quartet, Hermitage Green, the unforgettable Kíla, Eagles tribute band Dezperado, and lots of folk music from John Spillane, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Emma Langford and Oisín Leech.

Cormac McCarthy, Aoife Ní Bhriain and Estonian musicians Duo Ruut will present a special night of music in November as part of the Cultural Programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Theatre, of course, features strongly. The Dowry, a new play by Cork writer Derry Cotter, Hunter’s Moon with Keane’s The Field, Lisa Lambe with Bess Cronin: The Queen of Muscraí, and the return by popular demand of Tides of Tradition.

“We’re incredibly excited to be launching this programme for the coming season,” says Briery Gap director Pat Carey. “We truly believe that we have something for everyone. Musicians and writers from a few miles down the road share this programme with artists travelling from Clare, Limerick, Galway, Donegal, Dublin, from Estonia, and from further afield again - and that is exactly as it should be. Whether you are a Briery Gap regular or coming through our doors for the first time, you are very welcome.”

For full details, or to book tickets, visit brierygap.ie.

Back in the city, at the Opera House, South are on stage tonight, performing the timeless classics of The Beautiful South with several former members of that great group which disbanded in 2007.

Comedian Nish Kumar is here tomorrow with Angry Humour From A Really Nice Guy, while on Saturday Laura Dowling, the award-winning pharmacist and women’s health advocate, brings her bestseller, Love Your Vulva, to the stage. Cormac Begley plays beautiful concertina music on Sunday night, and Michael English is here next Wednesday with special guest Mick Foster. All Opera House bookings on 021 427 0022 or www.corkoperahouse.ie.

Jarlath Regan is already sold out at the Everyman this Saturday, while Sunday sees the closing gala of Priosma, Cork’s dedicated queer film festival, with the Irish premiere of Another Man and the Short Film Awards at 6.30pm, followed by Cork’s drag collective Krystal & The Queers with Krissy Down Under from 9pm.

Tickets can be bought separately for the two events or together for a special bundle price.

And don’t forget you can be part of a backstage tour at the Everyman on Culture Night, September 18. All bookings on 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com.

Currently at the Cork Arts Theatre, Hubcap’s production of Mary’s Hopes & Dreams, written and performed by Michael Ryan and Sean Kelleher. Blending uproarious physical comedy and absurd characterisations, it’s a romp from start to finish. Until Saturday at 8pm, with a matinee also on Saturday at 2.30pm.

Next week it’s Conal Creedon’s When I Was God. On the field of dreams the referee is God, but what happens when God is made man, wonders retiring ref Dino.

Wednesday, September 16-19 - no show Friday, but a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com.