MOTHER REALLY KNOWS BEST IN ARDPATRICK

The laughing continues in Ardpatrick as The Hillside Players romp through their comedy, ‘Mother Knows Best’. The laugh a minute Jimmy Keary play continues on this Thursday, Friday and Saturday night with curtain each night at 8pm sharp. Booking advisable to guarantee a seat on (087) 7655771 (5-7.30pm).

The play is directed by Brendan Murphy and the strong ten member cast is very experienced and happy to perform. Many of the cast have been here from day one and this is the group’s 16th year producing so many brilliant plays.

The 3-act comedy is set in the McDermott house and is centred on the character Tess McDermott. She is a domineering mother and wife, and a devious individual. Sometimes her schemes work and sometimes they don’t.

Tess tries to set daughter Suzy up with her friend’s son Adrian Bird, a snooty business type, but Suzy has other ideas and has her sights set on an old flame, Nick who, along with his workmate Joe, are decorating the house.

Tess does anything she can to break these two up and we see what she’s capable of halfway through. While this is going on, other strange and ludicrous stuff happens under the one roof and is set for great viewing.

The cast includes: Annette Crowley, Tom Murphy, Paul Sheehy, Gareth Beechinor, Joe Cusack, Catherine O’Sullivan, Helen O’Sullivan, Hannah Goggin, Nan Fenton, Lorraine O’Connell and director Brendan Murphy. A raffle will be held each night with complimentary refreshments upstairs later on. For more information go to www.ardpatrick.net

VOLUNTEERS FOR COMMUNITY ARTS PROJECT REQUIRED IN FERMOY

A new Fermoy arts project which will be run on a community arts principal, where professional artists and local communities join forces in every imaginable art form, to create new bridges of understanding, regeneration and opportunities, is to be established. It’s about access and engagement, and sustained outcomes.

For this project to be a success volunteers are needed from the community. People from all walks of life, of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to check out this arts project.

This group will work together to manage an arts event that will take place in Fermoy later in the year. A public meeting about the event was held in the Family Resource Centre last night, Wednesday, 4th February.

Further information from the meeting or any queries can be directed to Lorraine of Avondhu Blackwater Partnership on 087 1201489.

IRISH PREMIERE OF ‘HUMBLE BOY’

Everyman Palace Theatre welcomes the return of prolific UK touring company, London Classic Theatre with the Irish premiere of ‘Humble Boy’, following their hit production last year of Mike Leigh’s ‘Abigail’s Party’.

Their current production of Charlotte Jones’ multi-award winning ‘Humble Boy’, arrives direct from a successful UK tour, and will run at Everyman Palace Theatre for six performances this week ahead of an extensive national tour.

Following the sudden death of his father, Felix Humble, a Cambridge academic, returns to his Middle England home and his difficult and demanding mother. After a chaotic funeral, and the disappearance of his father’s prized bees, it becomes clear to Felix that life at the Humble home will never be the same again.

London Classic Theatre is one of the most prolific and thriving touring companies on the UK theatre scene, having established a reputation for producing entertaining, accessible drama of the highest quality.

Their critically-acclaimed 2007/8 production of ‘Abigail’s Party’ by Mike Leigh played to packed houses all over the UK and Ireland for 32 weeks. Booking on www.everymanpalace.com or call 021-4501673.

CANAVOUR PLAYERS SET TO GO ‘ALL THE WAY BACK’

The Canavour Players, Ballinvreena are back for their 33rd production at The Community Centre, Ballinvreena where they will stage ‘All the Way Back’ by Bernard Farrell, a play in two acts.

Opening Thursday, February 12 until Sunday, February 15th and Wednesday, February 18th until Sunday, February 22. Curtain 8.30pm sharp. The story is based on a well-to-do family where the man was a successful executive but has lost his job. His wife comes up with a money making scheme which causes a lot of embarrassment to the family and the neighbourhood.

Sounds intriguing, come along and watch the story unfold. See you there!

VALENTINE’S SPECIAL AT EVERYMAN PALACE

An irresistible night of romance, candles and love songs from your Sunday Night at the Palace team! Featuring Linda Kenny, Damian Smith and special guests with master of ceremonies, Michael Twomey. 8pm, tickets €20, booking 021-4501673 or online at www.everymanpalace.com

PADDY KEENAN AND TOMMY O’SULLIVAN IN KILWORTH ON MONDAY NIGHT

Though they’ve called Paddy Keenan the King of the Pipers for years, the appellation embarrasses him, and he wishes they wouldn’t. But it’s too late—a head crowned unwilling is still a head crowned.

Paddy Keenan is the piper’s piper, the best of the best. Paddy was born into a Travelling family and both his father and grandfather were uillean pipers. Paddy himself took up the pipes at the age of ten, playing his first major concert at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, when he was just 14.

Paddy will be joined in Kilworth on this Monday night, February 9 by Sliabh Notes member, Tommy O’Sullivan. Songwriter, Jimmy McCarthy describes him as being ‘one of the great contemporary folk voices of Ireland’ while Sean Laffey of Irish Music Magazine says O’Sullivan has ‘a tenor voice that has all the ring of Waterford crystal which has only ever served smokey whiskey.

Tommy also plays with Matt Cranitch and ‘4 Men and a Dog’ box player Donal Murphy as ‘Sliabh Notes’. See Paddy and Tommy on this Monday night, Feb 9 at 8.15pm in Kilworth. Tickets are just €15/12.50 from the usual outlets or ring 025-32227 or 087-6492514,

ART PROJECT COMMISSION FOR DUNGARVAN

Dungarvan Town Council wish to commission a new public artwork for the Plaza of Dungarvan Shopping Centre. The total budget is €10,000.

Details from 058/ 41416 or email:morgan@waterfordcoco.ie. Closing date March 18.

EXTRA NIGHT ANNOUNCED FOR JON KENNY

Not surprisingly, Jon Kenny’s date in Kilworth for Sunday, February 15 is sold out but the man from Lough Gur has agreed to play an extra date the following night (Monday 16th) for which many tickets are already sold.

There’s never a dull moment with Jon Kenny, whether he is playing the madcap GAA man or simply complaining about the sister Bridie in ‘I’m Not Says I, I’m Fine’. No doubt he will take a swipe at the banks or the developers or the beleagured husbands of Ireland who fall prey to the great bargains of Aldi and Lidl.

And isn’t it very true - the fellow who’s being pushed by the wife to put back the curtain rail that has fallen off the wall (because it’s only stuck on to a plaster slab). Eventually succumbing, he has to call to Aldi or Lidl for a screwdriver. But what does he arrive home with - a 250 piece socket set.

But then, that could be me or you as we all fall victim to the great bargains. As Kenny says - ‘sure you couldn’t leave it after you’. Booking for his extra date in Kilworth is now open at 025-32227, 087-6492514 and at usual outlets.

CONNA DRAMATIC SOCIETY READY FOR WEEKEND RUN WITH ‘PORTIA COUGHLAN’

Conna Community Centre (Theatre) is buzzing with anticipation for our opening nigh performance of ‘Portia Coughlan’ by Marina Carr.

Portia Coughlan (played by Emer Martin) is haunted by visions of her drowned twin Gabriel (Daniel Mangan) unable to care for her children and burdened by her family’s dark past.

Her husband (Brendan Hurley) is unable to help the troubled Portia as is her mother Marrianne Scully (Ber O’Sullivan) and her dad Sly Scully (Peter Barry). Portia, the central character of Marina Carr’s dark and brooding play, struggles to sustain her independence.

Portia has a good relationship with her aunt, Maggie May Dooley (Ann Hurley) and her husband, Senchil Doorley (James Hyde). Stacia (Niamh MacAulay) is Portia’s best friend, Fintan Goolin (Liam Hannigan) is the local bar man, Damus Hallion (Philip Peet) is Portia’s special friend. Blaize Scully (Anne Barry) is Portia’s grandmother who just loves to get all the family secrets out in the open.

The play is under the watchful eye of director (Assumpta Mangan). While this is her third play to direct to date, ‘Portia Coughlan’ has to be the most challenging. This play is a harrowing exploration of fierce unyielding desire by one of Ireland’s foremost playwrights.

Exciting news for the group this year is that Conna Community Council invested in a new lighting system which will greatly enhance the overall production and bring the local theatre in line with many such venues around Munster.

Performance dates 14, 15, 20th, 21st February. Conna Community Centre at 8pm sharp. This play contains material unsuitable for children under 12. The money raised will go to Conna Community Council.

The full cast is as follows: Portia Coughlan - Emer Martin; Gabriel Scully - Daniel Mangan; Raphael Coughlan - Brendan Hurley; Marianne Scully - Ber O’Sullivan; Sly Scully - Peter Barry; Maggie May Doorley - Ann Hurley; Senchil Doorley - James Hyde; Blaize Scully, - Anne Barry; Stacia Doyle - Niamh MacAuley; Dams Hallion - Philip Peet; Fintan Goolan - Liam Hannigan; Director - Assumpta Mangan; Sound - Peter Feeney; Lighting - Pa Barry and James Murphy; Stage Manager - Clare Murphy; Asst Stage Manager - Ann Gough.