9 September 2015
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
As the curtain falls on a highly successful Summer Season on the Everyman Stage, it swiftly rises again to entertain with a diverse and captivating new Autumn programme which was announced this evening. (September 9th)
The Everyman’s Executive Director, Séan Kelly said: “I am very proud of the fact that Everyman attendances continue to grow each season. Once again, this Autumn, we are presenting a high-quality, eclectic programme that I’m sure will meet, and surpass, the very high standards demanded by our audiences.”
Without further ado, let us present a taste of the great things to come over the next few months: kicking off our Autumn season and opening on September 9th, in the 25th anniversary run, the Everyman Theatre Company presents a production of “The Outgoing Tide” by American playwright Bruce Graham stars Michael Twomey. A powerful drama, it is certain to impress. Local playwright, Liam Heylin, has allowed us to produce the premiere of his whipsmart new comedy, “Hung Juror”, which combines Liam’s intimate knowledge of the Irish court system and his brilliant way with the Cork turn of phrase!
Sligo’s finest, Blue Raincoat Theatre pay a visit with their acclaimed production of “Playboy of the Western World.” Fishamble return, after another award-winning run at the Edinburgh Fringe, with Cork’s own Pat Kinevane and his Trilogy: “Forgotten”, “Silent” and “Underneath.’ This will be the first opportunity to see all three shows in a single week – they are truly unmissable. And for the best in sing-a-long and laugh-a-long entertainment, we look forward to a brand new production of “Menopause The Musical”, starring Mary Byrne (X Factor), Linda Nolan (The Nolans), Niamh Kavanagh (Eurovision) and Sue Collins (The Nualas).
We’re getting in the festival spirit with the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival and new kid on the block “Sounds From A Safe Harbour”, and music fans can also look forward to visits from Honor Heffernan, John Spillane and the much-loved Sunday Songbook series.
Comedy lovers should get in line now for the cracking new show “Separated at Birth” from PJ Gallagher and newcomer Joanne McNally, and watch the worlds of improv and ventriloquism collide with hilarious results as Live At The Apollo favourite Nina Conti makes her first appearance at the Everyman.
There are some sparklingly special treats for small people and their grown-ups this Autumn: join us during the midterm break for a magical new production of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic tale of transformation, “The Secret Garden,” brought to us by superb local company BrokenCrow. And of course, it just wouldn’t be Christmas without our annual Panto – the genie granted us our wish and this year’s show is family favourite “Aladdin”!
Last but by no means least, there is a jam-packed calendar of the best of touring theatre, including the exciting new Decadent production of award-winning novel-turned-play, “Vernon God Little”, the sharp wit of Alan Ayckbourn in the London Classic Theatre production of “Absent Friends”, and a highly recommended gem, straight from taking the Edinburgh Fringe by storm, is Rough Magic’s “How To Keep An Alien” written by, and starring Sonya Kelly – you’ll be hard pressed to find a funnier or more heartwarming 70 minutes all year.
“Though we have endured a particularly miserable summer, I must say that it has felt as if the sun has been shining here at the Everyman as you have come out to support us in such numbers this summer, and in particular to support the homegrown efforts of some brilliant Cork artists. This coming season is absolutely bursting with as broad a range of delights as you’ll see on a Cork stage this Autumn. That’s because this is your theatre, The Everyman, and we’re doing everything we can to make sure there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
We are hugely grateful for your support which enables us to offer opportunities to local theatre artists to show their excellent work on the Everyman stage.” – Julie Kelleher, Artistic Director.