Theatre Nights: Plenty of options for Culture Night...plus Firkin comedy

Something distinctly different is taking place at Dance Cork Firkin Crane this weekend, with Gina Moxley’s Restoration comedy, I Fall Down.

Inflamed by women’s erasure in the prescribed history of art and the omission of female genitalia in classical statuary, Gina enlists the audience in a brazen attempt to right these wrongs and correct the received history.

What starts as a lecture segues into an operatic promenade, travels to Florence courtesy of contemporary dance, and finally arrives at a clay modelling workshop during which audiences get a chance to release their inner artist. Choreographed by Katherine O’Malley, this will be an experience. Friday-Sunday, 7.30pm, matinee Sunday at 2pm. 021 450 7487 or dancecorkfirkincrane.ie.

Do we need to remind you it’s Culture Night tomorrow, Friday? Here are just a few of the highlights anyway.

Anybody in need of relaxation should head to the Briery Gap in Macroom for 5pm where As If I Always Knew: A Piano Meditation is an immersive live performance by acclaimed Cork composer Cian Sweeney. Bring a yoga mat and simply lie down while unfolding music fills the room. Seating is also available, and the show is absolutely free, as is everything on Culture Night, but you do need to book to be sure of a space.

Later that evening, the Irish Guitar Quartet are on stage with stunning melodies. Again, do book beforehand for that concert, which starts at 8pm. Call 083 143 6884 or see www.brierygap.ie.

The Butter Exchange Band will be opening its doors on Friday night, as will CADA, showcasing the talents of its students.

There is a chance to step Behind The Curtain at the Opera House, into a hidden world (bring smartphone and headphones).

The Circus Factory will be hosting Enable Ireland to encourage disabled adults to explore physical theatre; the Cork Light Orchestra will be up at the old Cork City Gaol, and you simply cannot miss The Devils In The Dance Hall, inspired by the true story of Jimmy Gralton and the suppression of Ireland’s rural dance halls in the early 20th century. That’s from 9pm to 11pm at the City Hall.

Remember, everything is free, but you do need to book to be sure of getting in. Read all about it on www.culturenight.ie.

And the free Culture Buses are back that night, offering the ideal way for you to get out and explore more of what the night has to offer.

It even starts as soon as you hop on board, with Double Decks, a unique Culture Night music experience, created in collaboration between Cork City Council, Bus Éireann and the Electronic Music Council. And live music at the bus station too! What a great idea!

Hey, Mr Pussy is back for just one night at The Everyman on Saturday night! He will be joined on stage by a fantastic line-up of performers. That’s at 8pm.

And Red ’n Blue Theatre Company’s school production of Othello opens at the Everyman from Tuesday next week, with one public evening performance on Thursday, September 24, for parents and the wider public to experience this searing tale of love and jealousy. 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com.

There is a new take on James Joyce’s legendary tale, The Dead, from Lesley Conroy in Epiphany at the Cork Arts Theatre from Wednesday-Saturday next week.

In this inspired variation, Gretta takes centre stage at the Misses Morkan’s annual supper party. She seems to have it all already, but when a love song from her past unearths long-buried memories, Gretta is landed at a crossroads weighing up the choices that shaped her, and the path that lies ahead. Conroy shows us what should perhaps have been in Joyce’s tale, but for his concentration on the male point of view. Should be riveting.

Call 021 450 5624 or see www.corkartstheatre.com