Theatre Nights: Jim Reeves show, ballet and the Mala Gala 

At the Everyman, Jarlath Regan’s two shows, tomorrow and Saturday night, are fully sold out.

But take heart: The Everyman Sunday Songbook, the longest-running popular music concert series in Ireland, has now been breaking records for 21 years, and kicks off its 22nd in fine style with A Celebration Of Jim Reeves this Sunday, February 9.

Linda Kenny, Damian Smith and Alan Carney MD, as well as the Songbook band, are ed on this occasion by Evelyn Grant as narrator. Written and directed by Cathal MacCabe, it’s stage managed by Yvonne Cronin.

Revel in those timeless hits and enjoy the fascinating stories of his life – including his tour of Ireland back in 1963. Note the earlier starting time of 7.30pm.

And coming up next week, something by and for younger theatregoers, The Little Mermaid (Junior) from Centre Stage School.

With a cast of over 500 students aged 8-19, it will be an underwater adventure like no other. Fri-Sun, Feb 14-16, with both matinees and evening shows.

Call 021 450 1673 or see www.everymancork.com.

At Cork Arts Theatre tomorrow and Saturday night, Trawled is a true-life adventure tale from Eoin Ryan, recreating the experience of working on a prawn trawler in Australia and surviving against all the odds. Riveting watching.

From Monday to Wednesday next week, February 10-12, CADA Performing Arts is delighted to present Musical Madness, a showcase of great songs and music featuring the talented students of the Academy. Produced by Catherine Mahon-Buckley, directed by Jessica O’Connell-Boyle, musical direction Sioma Marron, Andrew Lane, Zoe Allman-Walsh and Nessa O’Callaghan. Call 021 4505624 or see www.corkartstheatre.com.

And don’t forget, you budding playwrights, Cork Arts Theatre is now seeking submissions for its annual ‘Views from...’ short play event. The theme this year is Views from a Couch, and the deadline for entries is March 31. The couch itself must be integral to the plot, and the piece must be no more than ten minutes long. Read it aloud and time yourself if you’re doubtful. Otherwise, comedy, tragedy, farce, fantasy, horror, period piece... whatever.

Only one submission can be accepted from each author (they get quite a lot, believe us!) and all will be read and judged to make a final short-list of ten. These will then be staged from May 27-31. Plays must be submitted as a Word document or PDF to [email protected] with the subject line ‘Views from a Couch Submission 2025’.

And they are never idle at the Glen Theatre in Banteer, this time welcoming The Mallow Musical Society with their first full-feature show, Mala Gala: The Musical. That’s coming up from Friday, February 14 through to Sunday, February 16, playfully dramatising the original founding of the Society while weaving in popular songs from well-known musicals. Book at mallowmusicalsociety.ie.

Neil Diamond has given music-lovers pleasure for an incredible 60 years. Tonight at the Opera House you can enjoy his greatest hits in Hello Again, an acclaimed tribute show by Brooklyn Creed.

That’s followed tomorrow and Saturday by Tommy Fleming, the man truly who sings from his soul.

On Sunday, something rather special: two performances of The Nutcracker from the Ukrainian Ballet of Peace, at 2pm and 7pm.

With brilliant dancers, beautiful staging and stunning costumes, it will be a wonderful experience. We should add this production has already wowed audiences across the globe in Canada, the US, and many countries across Europe and Asia.

The Three Amigos are back here on Monday, after their sell-out show last month, and there are just a few tickets left, but Dara Ó Briain from next Wednesday to Saturday is completely sold out.

Call 021 427 0022 or see www.corkoperahouse.ie.