JOHN SPILLANE FOR KILWORTH

The inimitable John Spillane opens proceedings at The Village Arts Centre for 2008 when he pays a return visit on Saturday night, January 19. A native of Cork, John describes his native county as ‘the centre of the universe’.

Spillane and poet, Louis De Paor, have often paired up on projects, John refers to their collaborations as ‘The Gaelic Hit Factory’ “the name we give to our songwriting partnership. Songs in the Irish language for money and financial gain is the motto of The Gaelic Hit factory.”

Will the gig in Kilworth be good or what? Sure ‘twill be only brilliant boy! Tickets now on sale at €15 each. Booking at The Avondhu office, Fermoy (025-32227); Hyland’s Mitchelstown (025-24528); Cotter’s Kilworth (025-27109 after 5pm) or on 087-6492514.

CINEMA COMES TO LISMORE CASTLE

Lismore Castle Arts is delighted to announce a new cultural venture for the New Year - ‘Cinema at the Castle’, with the screening of two films in association with Lismore Film Society, both on Saturday evenings at 5.30pm.

The first is ‘Lust For Life’ (PG, 1956 -117 mins), directed by Vincente Minnelli on Saturday, 12th January. Vincent Van Gogh is the archetypical tortured artistic genius. The one constant good in his life is his brother Theo, who is unwavering in his moral and financial support.

The film stars Kirk Douglas, and Oscar winner Anthony Quinn. On Saturday February 16, the Ed Harris-directed Oscar-winning film, ‘Pollock’ (shot in 2000, 18s, 118 mins) will be shown. It tells of the life and career of the American abstract, expressionist painter, Jackson Pollock. It stars Ed Harris himself and Marcia Gay Harden.

Tickets for these films are on sale now priced €10 (€8 members and friends). Numbers are limited so please contact info@lismorecastlearts.ie or 058-54061 to reserve your place.

A BUSY YEAR FOR THE VILLAGE ARTS CENTRE

This past year has been a busy one for The Village Arts Centre with a wide range on entertainment having been programmed for the enjoyment of the people of the area. In all, the centre staged various genres of entertainment on no less than seventy nights with 28 of these being straight drama, the rest a diverse range of musical acts.

Top names in music to play the centre this year included Special Consensus, Mary Coughlan, Jack L, The 3 Irish Tenors, Cara O’Sullivan, Liam Clancy, Brendan Shine, Johnny McEvoy, The Callino Quartet, North Cregg etc., etc.

Visiting theatrical groups included Civic Theatre Co., Inda from the UK, Blood In The Alley, Meridian, Call Back Theatre, Gare St Lazare, Galloglass etc. with stars like Mick Lally, Mary McEvoy, and Conor Lovett amongst others, gracing the Kilworth stage.

Many patrons travel from long distances to Kilworth on a regular basis and we are very grateful to them for their support. All are in agreement that the Village Arts Centre is a rare little gem that deserves to be supported.

Two major acts lined up for next year are Brendan Grace and Des Keogh. Des played the Kilworth venue three years ago in ‘The Love Hungry Farmer’ from the writings of John B. Keane. Des is back with the show again on Friday, February 1st.

This will be Brendan Grace’s first visit to Kilworth and what is special about this visit, is that he will do the full show himself. This is a little unusual for Brendan as he usually has a support act. This means great value for Kilworth punters and anyone who has been in The Village Arts Centre will agree that seeing someone like Brendan Grace perform in that space is akin to having him perform in your front room.

Tickets are being released in advance for both these shows to give people an opportunity to use the tickets as Christmas gifts. They are priced at €20 and €35 respectively and are available this week at The Avondhu office, Fermoy (025-32227) and also from Cotter’s Bar, Kilworth (025-27129), Hyland’s Bookshop, Mitchelstown (025-24528) or from 087-6492514.

GREAT RUN WITH ‘LEND ME A TENOR’ FOR BRIDEVIEW DRAMA

Following its huge success over the last two weekends, Ken Ludwig’s ‘Lend Me A Tenor’ will re-run on January 3, 4 and 5, 2008. This David Murphy production again showed the true style of Brideview Drama, with cast and crew giving their all before and during the show.

The weeks and months leading up to the opening night were a busy time for everyone with lines to learn and costumes to be made. The dedication of all involved culminated on the opening night with a fabulous show which continued through to the final night’s performance. Everyone who attended the show thoroughly enjoyed it and with the comfortable surroundings of Tallow Community Centre a great night’s entertainment was enjoyed by all.

Tickets for the January performance can be obtained from the local supermarkets and by phoning (058) 56304. We encourage anyone who has not already experienced this production to come along in January, a great night is assured.

The Jack Aherne production for Brideview Drama is ‘The Glass Menagerie’ by Tennessee Williams, was on at the Village Arts Centre, Kilworth on Sunday night and was very well received. The play will run again in Tallow Community Centre in February, a date to be decided. This timeless classic in which the characters are imprisoned by their family circumstances.

The play is full of emotions that they find difficult to express. The hopes and dreams of the family are pinned on the arrival of a gentleman caller. This is a beautifully written and very moving play and you will be moved by the Glass Menagerie when you see it for yourselves. Vanessa Hyde played the part of Amanda Wingfield, a determined mother who was committed to finding a suitable husband for her daughter.

Jenny Fennessy was Laura Wingfield, the daughter of Amanda and of nervous disposition. Brian Hogan played Tom Wingfield, Amanda’s son, a quiet character who spent a lot of his time at the cinema to escape his mother’s tongue. John Baldwin played the part of Jim O’Connor, the gentleman caller.

Peter O’Connor provided the musical accompaniment. An entertaining and witty production superbly acted.

SANTA DELIGHTS FOR LISMORE DRAMATIC SOCIETY

Santa was delighted to meet all his little friends last Sunday at The Courthouse Theatre. He noted all requirements and all will be rewarded as long as they obey Santa’s request to be good as his bird will be watching out for all the good boys and girls.

Santa would like to thank all his elves - those young and not so young – but always ready to help out. A particular thanks to Martin Landers and his Fire Brigade crew.

A happy, holy and prosperous Christmas and New Year to all our patrons and friends.

IT’S PANTO TIME IN CORK

The age old tales of ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Jack & The Beanstalk’ are brought into the 21st century to help the children of Munster (and their parents) really enjoy this festive season. Here’s what The Everyman Palace say: It’s Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum as CADA and the Everyman Palace Theatre team up once more with a hilarious new version of the traditional fairy tale, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’.

Meet our hero Jack and his zany gang of friends in the magical world of Christmas panto land! Jack is joined by Jill, the girl of his dreams, and with the help of his formidable mother and his friend Evita the Cow, they set off on hilarious mission to defeat the Giant!

The panto runs until Sat 22nd and continues from Thurs 27th to January 13th at various times. Tickets €20 / €25. Group rates: 20 or more €18 per person; 50 or more €16 per person, school groups €13.

Cork Opera House panto opened on Saturday and runs until the middle of January. After months of hard work and twenty five tubs of glitter later, this year’s Cork Opera House production of ‘Cinderella’ is set to get feet tapping and voices singing as fourteen musical numbers and hilarious dialogue will whisk the audience into the amazing world of Cinderella, where everyone will get to go to the ball! It is the busiest show for the Opera House technical crew.

In the props department alone, 720 hours have been spent solely on sourcing and making props. 20 litres of paint were used in making props and the costumes also promise to be a real treat, with 104 feathers being used to make Dandini’s hanky alone.

All tickets are the same price (€25) so book early to be closest to the drama! Times: 2:30pm and 7:30pm Telephone/internet bookings subject to €1.50 booking fee per ticket.