Theatre Nights: Proms, comedy and voices of Cork

The Cork Proms has been a huge success over the past week, packing the Opera House for the first two shows. This coming weekend, the final concert showcases the Kings, Queens & Princes of Pop.

Curated by Eibhlín Gleeson and Jack O’Rourke, it’s billed as a sensational celebration of pop royalty, with live arrangements performed by wonderful soloists and backed by the full Opera House Concert Orchestra, conducted by Elaine Kelly. Gemma Sugrue, Shobsy, Sexy Tadgh, and Lucia Evans will recreate greats like Queen, Prince, Elton John, Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Michael Jackson and George Michael. It’s going to lift the roof off!

Next Wednesday, Hamilton Acro and Dance, the recreational and competitive dance school, will stage its first ever show at the Opera House.

Night at the Theatre will feature performers from the Acro Dance, musical theatre, and dance classes, plus their competition team. Choreographed and directed by Devon and Chloe Hamilton, also featuring choreography from Chelsey Madden, Laura Keane, Eimear James and Bethany Entwhistle. It takes place on Wednesday, April 30, with a 7pm start.

Call 021 427 0022 or see www.corkoperahouse.ie for all bookings.

Brian Friel’s insightful classic, Making History, deftly directed by Des Kennedy at Everyman, has been receiving rave reviews, not least for the way it throws a very different light on great characters like Hugh O’Neill, and seismic events like the Battle of Kinsale and The Flight of the Earls. We need more stories from the Irish point of view, that’s for sure, and Making History is a superb example. However, it must end on Saturday, so get going if you’ve been daft enough to wait before experiencing one of the great shows of the year.

Next Wednesday, Malaprop Theatre, fresh from off-Broadway, bring Hothouse, a fast-paced, intergenerational story of love, loss and legacy, set on an Arctic cruise ship guided by an unhinged captain. Written by Carys D. Coburn, with original songs and music by Anna Clock. One night only.

On Thursday night, May 1, it’s An Evening With Michael Harding. Call 021 450 1673 or see www.everymancork.com for details.

From tomorrow night until Sunday at the Cork Arts Theatre, there is a chance to enjoy some wonderful sounds when Leeside Voices present On Wings of Song. Anne Bermingham, soprano; Denis Lane, baritone; Noel Somers, tenor; with accompanist Tom Doyle, blend superbly in hits from Broadway and more. It’s all about experiencing the many emotions which can be expressed through song. Musical director is Aileen Scriven and narrator is Eithne Horgan. It runs Friday and Saturday at 7.30pm, and Sunday, 2.30pm. Booking on 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com.

Patrick McDonnell is at the City Limits – Cork Comedy Club this coming Saturday, April 26, with some special guests. Patrick, as you will , starred in The Savage Eye, Irish Pictorial Weekly, and Naked Camera, plus being ed perhaps best of all as Eoin McLove in Father Ted (Night of the Nearly Dead, and Night Cross).One of our great stand-up comedians, he’s likely to draw a full house.

Doors 8pm /show time 9pm. Booking on www.tickets.ietarget="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">, www.thecomedyclub.ie, or, to holdtickets, email [email protected].

And finally, don’t forget that next week brings the May Bank Holiday weekend and that means – yes, you’re right – the Cork International Choral Festival.

Founded a spart of An Tóstal, in 1954, it has continued to grow year on year andit is now a huge internationally-recognised event with choirs coming from all over the world to participate and, just perhaps, win that top prize of the Fleischmann trophy.

Ruth Fleischmann, daughter of the renowned Aloys, is coming over especially from for the occasion, and to see the launch at the City Library of the newly-reconstructed online archive with the Fleischmann compositions, Joan Denise Moriarty company programmes, the Tilly Fleischmann book, Choral Festival programmes and so much more.

Get on to corkchoral.ie this minute and see just how much is being packed into that holiday weekend!