‘PETER PAN’ FOR OPERA HOUSE

Cork Opera House is delighted to host the Irish premiere of an international co-production of ‘Peter Pan’ from Wednesday 3–Saturday, 6 June, before returning again to the Opera House for additional performances as part of the Cork Midsummer Festival from Wednesday 17–Saturday, 20 June.

‘Peter Pan’ has earned glittering reviews across the UK and USA, where it has been enchanting adults and children equally.

Three leading theatre companies from three nations have joined creative forces to create this stunning production based on JM Barrie’s classic Victorian tale. They are the award-winning Visible Fictions (Scotland), The Children’s Theatre Company (Minneapolis, USA) and the renowned Italian shadow artist Fabrizio Montecchi from Teatro Gioca Vita (Piacenza, Italy).

Ideal for families and school groups, ‘Peter Pan’ is told through a brilliant fusion of shadow puppetry and vibrant storytelling. Peter, Captain Hook, Wendy and the Lost Boys play out their adventures in an ever-changing Neverland unlike anything seen before on stage.

A thrilling, dark and surprising new ‘Peter Pan’ awaits everyone aged eight and beyond - especially those who have never grown up!

This will be Visible Fiction’s third visit to Cork Opera House. Their previous shows were huge hits with audiences and critics. ‘Peter Pan’, which has been described as “wonderfully theatrical” and “a joy for the older theatre-goer too”, is set to gain similar acclaim when it visits Ireland in June.

“Ingenius… beautifully timed… a joy for the older theatre-goer too” – Sunday Herald; “wonderfully theatrical, almost Shakespearean” – The Herald.

‘Peter Pan’ plays Cork Opera House Wed., 3 June at 7.30pm; Thu, 4 June at 10am and 1pm; Fri., 5 June at 10am and 1pm; Sat., 6 June at 2.30pm Returning Wed., 17 June at 7.30pm; Thur., 18 June at 10am and 1pm; Fri., 19 June at 10am and 1pm; Sat., 20 June at 2.30pm.

Book online: www.corkoperahouse.ie or by phone: 021-4270022.

CARDUCCI QUARTET CONCERTS EAGERLY AWAITED AS PART OF CLASSICAL MUSIC FESTIVAL

It can’t be often that one of the busiest and most successful young string quartets in Europe actually ask to play in a certain venue – particularly when their chosen building is a small, seldom used 18th century church, without electricity and in the middle of nowhere.

But the Carducci Quartet are so attached to St Colman’s Church in Farahy, near Kildorrery, that they have not only asked to come back but have planned a weekend’s mini-festival of classical music from 12-14 June. These three concerts should prove to be one of the highlights of North Cork Classical Music’s 2009 series of concerts.

The Carducci Quartet is half English and half Irish and consists of two married couples: Matthew and Emma Denton are the English half and play the first violin and the cello; Michelle Fleming and Eoin Schmidt-Martin represent Cork and play the second violin and the viola.

The Quartet has won many awards and is in great demand in Europe and beyond. They have just returned from a very successful tour of the USA during which they made their Carnegie Hall debut.

Apart from their busy schedule of performances and recordings under their own label (Carducci Classics) and with Naxos, the Quartet is in residence at Trinity College of Music in London, the Cork School of Music and Cardiff University.

They have their own Festival in Gloucestershire and hold courses for young musicians in Ireland and in France.

It is wonderful that such enthusiastic and talented players are so committed to sharing their passion for good music with others. And this is partly what draws them to St Colman’s. St Colman’s is an attractive building in its own right. The present building bears a plaque stating that it was restored in 1721 and a church has stood on the site for centuries before that.

Concerts have been held in the church for a number of years now and are usually sold out fairly quickly. Audiences like the intimacy of the building and the romantic aura created by the candles, which provide the only light: musicians appreciate the good acoustics and the rapport with the audience.

Many people have commented on the extraordinary ability of the Carducci Quartet to communicate not only with each other (they have been described as playing like a close-knit family) but also with their audience.

They like an informal approach to presentation that doesn’t in any way spoil the quality of their playing or the seriousness of their music but does draw the audience into their own evident enjoyment of the performance.

June’s concerts will be rather special, providing sustenance for the spirit.

So the 12 June concert is called ‘Mozart with Muffin’, on the 13th we have ‘Beethoven with Brownies’ and the last concert features ‘Schubert with Shortcake’.

The full programme is: Fri., 12 June ‘Mozart with Muffins’ 7pm - Mozart - String Quartet ‘The Hunt’; Moeran - String Quartet No. 2; Mendelssohn - String Quartet Op. 13.

Sat., 13 June ‘Beethoven with Brownies’ 7pm - Haydn - String Quartet Op. 9; Horovitz - String Quartet No. 5; Beethoven - String Quartet Op. 59 No. 3 ‘Razumovsky’.

Sunday, 14 June ‘Schubert with Shortcake’ 3pm - Haydn - String Quartet Op. 33 No. 2 ‘The Joke’; Philip Glass - String Quartet No. 2 ‘Company’; Schubert - String Quartet ‘Death and the Maiden’.

Tickets are €15 per concert or €35 for the whole series and can be booked at The Avondhu office, 24 MacCurtain St., Fermoy (025-32227); Cotter’s Bar, Kilworth (025-27109 after 5pm); Hyland’s Bookshop, Mitchelstown (025-24528) or on 087-6492514 or Jane Annesley 022 26145 jannesley@eircom.net

ENTRIES CLOSING FOR ‘123 FESTIVAL OF DRAMA’

Just a quick note to remind everyone that, for lovers of all things dramatic in Waterford, entries for the 2009 ‘123 Festival of Drama’ close the end of this week!

Over two nights, June 26 and 27 at Dungarvan Town Hall Theatre, the 123 Festival is open to any amateur drama performer in the city and county of Waterford - whether still at school, a member of a drama club or a solo performer who loves showing the world what he/she can do!

Entries are very cheap, the prizes are great and this is the 3rd year the festival is on.

The 123 Festival sees packed houses year after year. Every night is full of laughter, entertainment, tears and drama, and includes monologues, duologues and short plays from Ireland and all around the globe.

To find out more, get entry forms and be sent full details, please contact festival organiser Vanessa Hyde, 087 6733782 or vanessa54346@yahoo.co.uk

SHOWBAND NOSTALGIA FOR CORK

Dominic Kirwan’s number one priority is entertainment, and he’ll provide it in spades as a headline act in the latest Showband Nostalgia show to rock up to Cork Opera House. He’ll perform there on Sunday, 28 June with other greats from the showband era, Louise Morrissey, Brian Coll and Keith and the Showband Show.

Showband Nostalgia will be a perfect blend of old and new, including some cracking medleys and trademark big ballads. Dominic’s voice is as powerful, emotive and distinctive as ever. He’ll perform tunes from his latest album ‘A Little Bit More’ featuring hits from the 1970s such as ‘Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes’ and the title track ‘A Little Bit More’ plus many more.

Louise Morrissey has long been one of Ireland’s best loved singers and entertainers. She has achieved great success in both Ireland and the UK, often touring with Charlie Pride and Foster & Allen. She has brought her easy style of country and folk to many other countries including the USA and Canada, and throughout Europe and the Middle East.

Brian Coll has been a stalwart of the Irish music scene for over 40 years. Having gained his first break as lead vocalist in the 1960s showband, The Polka Dots, Coll formed his own band, The Plattermen, and later Buckaroos in 1968. The showband show is not just music, but a vibrant, colourful and powerful musical experience.

It consists of six members, featuring Keith McDonald who plays the trumpet and his sister, Lorraine, on sax and flute. This star-studded, colourful production promises to be a top-class Showband Nostalgia.

So don’t miss it all on Sunday, 28 June, booking online at www.corkoperahouse.ie or 021 4270022.

COLAISTE AN CHRAOIBHIN B.B.Q.

A barbeque will be held on Saturday, 30th May at The Forge Bar, Fermoy at 8pm in aid of Le Creche, Colaiste an Chraoibhin.

Tickets available at The Forge or at Colaiste secondary school.

We look forward to seeing you there!

‘BOUNCERS’ RETURNS TO THE EVERYMAN PALACE

And just when you thought they had gone forever! Bouncers’ by John Godber is back at The Everyman Palace Theatre, Cork from Monday, June 1 to Saturday, June 13 (please note revised dates).

It’s Friday night; it’s club night and time for the bouncers to come alive! In this hilarious parody of the contemporary night-club scene, four bouncers portraying over 30 different characters invite you for a night on the town.

Meet giggly girls, lads on the make, D4 poseurs, lager louts and smooth talking DJ’s - all set against the glitzy glamour, flashing lights and pulsating beat of the dance floor. An absolutely hilarious night out - don’t miss your chance to see this fantastic Cork comedy.

“Outstanding comic moments” - Irish Examiner, 8pm nightly, tickets €25 / €20 conc. / €15 opening night (€7 students - Mon – Wed of the first week). Booking on 021-4501673 or online at www.everymanpalace.com.

SPANISH GUITARIST FOR NCCM 2009

Spanish guitarist, Agustin Maruri from Madrid who will give a recital as part of North Cork Classical Music 2009 at The Village Arts Centre, Kilworth on this Saturday, May 30 at 8.15pm.

Tickets €15 and are available from Jane on 022-26145, from Village Arts Centre outlets (025-32227) or from 087-6492514.