A John Spillane album launch... and feast of drama on Cork's stages

Now here is some exciting new. John Spillane, our gifted singer, songwriter, composer and poet, is about to release his most artistically ambitious work to date, a folk opera album entitled Fíoruisce - The Legend Of The Lough, on Friday week, September 13.

The concept album will be released on double CD and digital, featuring John alongside a stellar cast of collaborators: Ríoghnach Connolly, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Niamh Farrell, Nell Ní Chróinín, and more. He has shared the opening track, Réamhcheol/Overture, on YouTube.

The three-act Gaelic folk opera, composed by Spillane, is a re-Gaelicisation of Croker’s fairytale which tells of how the Lough, said to hide a drowned kingdom, came into being. Described by Spillane as his magnum opus, this project draws on his life-long dedication to storytelling, the Irish language, and music.

Using these elements, Spillane crafts an Irish-speaking ancient world. The album weaves common threads of Irish mythology, depicting scenes of war, curses, lullabies, lamentations, shapeshifting tricksters, scenes of love, a great fleadh, and eventually the climax - the drowning of the kingdom.

Accompanying the release is a striking video directed and edited by Aldoc Productions, starring Nigel Grufferty, also on YouTube.

John will mark the launch of Fíoruisce by unveiling a site-responsive art exhibition by Megan Clancy at The Lough on Sunday, September 15 at 4pm, followed by a listening party at the School of Music. ission is free, but booking essential at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/john-spillane-fioruisce-launch-tickets-936471540587?aff=oddtdtcreator.

The ever-popular Podcast Festival continues apace at the Opera House, with The Rebel Army tonight, Left On Read tomorrow, and Young Hot Guys on Sunday.

Gilbert O’Sullivan’s concerts on Tuesday and Wednesday next week have been sold out for some time, but the Podcast Festival runs again till the following Sunday. Opera House bookings on www.corkoperahouse.ie or 021 427 0022.

The Everyman has released its autumn programme and there is plenty in there to please.

Tonight, Theatre Lovett presents The Maestro And The Mosquita, following an artist’s journey from innocence to corruption, delight to downfall - and back again. 8pm.

Saturday at 7.30pm brings the third UnCorked show, with the most exciting emerging artists in the local music scene. On Sunday, there are two afternoon shows of It’s Magic, with Joe The Magician from RTÉ’s Dizzy Deliveries. Fun for children of all ages. noon and 3pm. If you fancy some laughter, what could be better than Matches And Old Flames on Thursday and Friday next, September 12/13?

Written and directed by Tommy Marren for Crokey Plays, it tells the story of a weary mother trying to get her two mature sons wed and out of the house. Great fun.

Booking for all Everyman shows on www.everymancork.com or 021 450 1673.

Tomorrow and Saturday at the Cork Arts Theatre, Amber Deasy presents a rehearsed reading of The Dream Can’t Sleep. The project is part of CATALYST, a collaboration between Everyman and Cork Arts Theatre, ed by Cork City Council Arts Office.

Two young Irish immigrants to London wrestle with their anxieties and wonder if they should have left home. Friday, 1pm, Saturday, 7.30pm.

Next week, another project from CATALYST, Eurydice, written by Sarah Ruhl. The well-known tale of Orpheus who has lost his wife and, heartbroken, journeys to the Underworld to bring her back, is told from his wife, Eurydice’s point of view. Wednesday-Saturday at 8pm. Relaxed performance Thursday, September 12. 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com.

And just one chance to see the new play, A Medical Woman - The Life And Times Of Dr Mary Strangman, at Ballymaloe Grainstore this Saturday. Booking on www.ballymaloegrainstore.com