‘ON THE BLACK HILL’ - SPELLBINDING THEATRE FOR KILWORTHN

Ajtc Theatre Co and Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre present ‘On The Black Hill’ in a new adaptation of Bruce Chatwin’s lyrical, much loved novel. “For forty two years, Lewis and Benjamin Jones slept side by side in their parent’s bed at their farm which was known as The Vision”.

So begins Bruce Chatwin’s award winning tale of twinship, love and belonging, set on the border of England and Wales.

Charles Way’s beautiful new adaptation captures the harsh realities and humour of farming life and the unique struggle of the twins, who have one identity but two realities. Bound together and yet driven apart by nature, they struggle to find meaning and purpose in their existence which, finally, is dominated by one question.

Who will inherit their farm, their ‘Vision’? The play, featuring Iain Armstrong, Amy Vodden (cello) and Mick Jasper, is directed by Geoff Bullen, composer is Lewis Gibson and the designer is Maz Bullen.

“So moving and emotive of that beautiful story . . . A fabulous night . . .’ On The Black Hill’ is a spellbinding portrayal of the unbreakable link between nature and the human spirit” – Los Angeles Times.

See it at The Village Arts Centre, Kilworth on Monday, October 12 at 8.15pm - simply not to be missed! Tickets just €15 (12.50 concessions OAPs and students). Book now at The Avondhu office, Fermoy (025-32227), Cotter’s Bar, Kilworth (025-27109), Hyland’s Bookshop, Mitchelstown (025-24528) and on 087-6492514.

TWO SYNGE PLAYS IN KILBEHENNY

This Thursday and Friday night, September 24 and 25 sees two classic comedies from the pen of John Millington Synge being performed on the stage of Kilbehenny Community Centre.

‘The Tinker’s Wedding’ and ‘In The Shadow of the Glen’ are part of an initiative undertaken between Friars’ Gate Theatre, Kilmallock, Call Back Theatre Company and Ballyhoura Development Ltd, the latter agreeing to pledge Leader funding to develop a project that could tour to key towns in the Ballyhoura region bringing theatre to rural communities with limited access to the arts.

Both plays are directed by Joan Sheehy who is an award winning actress and director and the production features a very talented and award winning cast including Mandy Donworth, Cora Fenton, Katie Holly, Patrick Kelly, Joe Mullins and Robert Lee.

Bookings and further information from 063-98727.

HOUSE FULL FOR CARA AND DEGANI

This Saturday sees the hugely popular Cara O’Sullivan back in Kilworth, this time with the Degani Ensemble featuring Alan Smale (violin), John Lynch (viola), David James (cello), and Ruby Ashley (oboe).

That’s the good news - the bad news is that the recital is completely sold out.

Having diversified into larger scale chamber music in the 1990s, the group was re-formed 4 years ago by founder members Ruby Ashley (oboe), Alan Smale (violin) and David James (cello). Elaine Clarke (violin) and John Lynch (viola) were subsequently added, bringing a wealth of chamber music experience to the chosen repertoire.

The recital has been made possible with the kind support of Music Network and The Arts Council of Ireland. The Village Arts Centre also wishes to acknowledge the ongoing support of Cork County Council and The Avondhu. Arts Centre enquiries please to 087-6492514.

‘HEROES’ AT CORK ARTS THEATRE

This gentle and amusing play is set in a retirement home for veterans of The First World War. The residents boast about the past, remembering battles and loves won and lost, and together face old age with a mixture of defiance and acceptance.

This Everyman production has a powerful cast of three. Michael Twomey plays the aristocratic Gustave, Ted O’Regan contrasts as the plain-speaking foot-soldier Henri and Ber Power plays the dreamy Philippe who might have been a great lover, or even a concert pianist.

The trio hatch a plan to escape from the petty restrictions of the home, planning their route with half-remembered military tactics.

But there is a problem, Philippe insists that the stone dog on the terrace can move which leads Gustave to conclude that Philippe is mad! Gustave wants to take the stone dog, which must weigh at least half a ton, with them when they escape which leads Philippe to conclude that Gustave is mad!

For Henri it is all very simple, he knows that they are both mad! Played with exquisite comic timing by these three masters of their craft this ‘Heroes’, which won four major awards in the original French and the Olivier Award for comedy in Tom Stoppard’s English translation, is a treat not to be missed. ‘Heroes’ runs until Sept 26 (excluding Sunday) at Cork Arts Theatre, Carroll’s Quay. Telephone 021-4505624.

JOHNNY MCEVOY RETURNS TO KILWORTH

The Village Arts Centre has this year already played host to two prolific songwriters - Eric Bogle and Jimmy McCarthy and more recently to a great young Australian songwriter, Chloe Hall.

On Saturday, October 10, we present another of the greats in the songwriting world in the person of Johnny McEvoy. By his own admission it was on a stone outside Kennedy’s Pub in Doocastle, Co Mayo that he first put pen to a paper to start his songwriting career with ‘Long Before Your Time’ and, as the saying goes, ‘the rest is history’.

Many of Johnny’s songs have long since become standards, that first song taking the No 1 spot for three consecutive weeks in the Irish charts. His big break as a performer came in 1966 when ‘Mursheen Durkin’, a song from the West of Ireland, took the country by storm. ‘Boston Burglar’ followed and it too hit the top spot.

Johnny McEvoy was now in the superstar league. Also in 1966 he played support to none other than The Rolling Stones who were making a huge name for themselves. Johnny, amazed by the hysteria they caused, had little knowledge that in a few short months, he would be on the receiving end of screaming fans, having to exit under cover by the back door of the halls and theatres where he performed.

Johnny has written songs such as ‘Michael’, ‘The Ballad of John Williams’, ‘Rich Man’s Garden’, ‘Going to California’, ‘Old Fashioned Tune’ and many others. Having missed out on his ‘annual’ visit to Kilworth last year, Johnny is really looking forward to his gig in what is one of his favourite venues. Johnny McEvoy, who has enjoyed over 40 years on the Irish entertainment scene, changed course eighteen months ago when he decided he was done with playing the dancehalls.

He now concentrates wholly on concert performances. So come along and hear him sing all the old favourites on Saturday 10th. Early booking strongly advised. Call 025-32227, 24528, 27109 (after 5pm) or 087-6492514.

‘WATERCOLOURS - DELIGHT IN LIGHT’ IN DUNGARVAN

This is the final week of the Group Show & Harrington exhibitions in The Old Market House Arts Centre, Dungarvan (ending 26th September).

The new exhibitions will open on Thursday 1st October 2009 with ‘Watercolours - Delight in Light’, paintings by Anne McLeod and ‘Sea Change’ by Niki Purcell.

On show in the upstairs gallery is ‘Market 09’ with a variety of work by several artists including new work by Alf Barden, Lucia Cullinane Garcia and Esther Heffernan.

The Arts Centre is open Tuesday to Friday 11am to 5pm and Saturday 1pm to 5pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.