CORK OPERA HOUSE
CORK OPERA HOUSE ANNOUNCES AUTUMN/WINTER SEASON
Diverse Productions Planned for 2006/07
"Where will you be tonight?" Executive Director Gerry Barnes posed that question, and offered 45 answers, at the launch of the Cork Opera House Autumn/Winter season held this evening in the Blue Angel Lounge.
Special guests included Deputy Lord Mayor Michael O'Connell, Orlaith Fortune of Bulmers and Eurovision singer/songwriter Mickey Harte, who performed a song from his new album, Live and Learn.
"This season we'll offer more than 45 shows that include a balanced blend of local, national and international presentations spanning the genres," said Mr. Barnes. "Martin McDonagh's, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, which opens our season tonight typifies that synergy - it is a joint production among Cork Opera House, Town Hall Theatre and Millenium Forum, and features an Irish cast performing a work by an internationally renowned playwright."
Other dramas include the Druid's production of John B Keane's The Year of the Hiker, directed by Garry Hynes (6 - 11 November), and the darkly funny Faustus, in the Half Moon Theatre from 16-18 October.
Mr. Barnes announced that the second week of booking has already opened for The Full Monty, the rollicking, raunchy musical produced and choreographed by local talent Donna Daly Blyth of Cork-based GoldenBoy Productions, and starring Glanmire native, Ciaran Bermingham. (11 - 23 September)
Nationally, "Keano" and crowd return to their Cork roots for a third sure to be sold-out run of I, Keano, opening April 9. This updated production will reflect the latest in Keano's always interesting career.
Three thrilling operas are in store this autumn, creating a natural synergy between local and international, and modern and classical. Ellen Kent presents the Chisinau National Opera in lavish, traditional performances of Puccini's Madama Butterfly (18 October) and Strauss' Die Fledermaus (19 October). In November, local company Opera 2005 follows its highly successful debut production of Rossini's Figaro's Wedding with The Barber of Seville.
For dance lovers, the "Where will you be tonight?" question is simple, as the new season includes both classical and modern dance from local, national, and international troupes, beginning with Ellen Kent and Ballet International's presentations of Romeo & Juliet and Coppelia, performed by the Russian Classical Ballet Theatre. The internationally acclaimed principal stars deliver performances of dazzling artistry, enhanced by a corps de ballet of fifty dancers and a large live orchestra. Call box office to learn more about a very special offer - children come free! (2 - 7 October)
Cork Opera house is pleased to once again partner with Cork City Ballet to present Ballet Spectacular 2006, produced and directed by Alan Foley. The company will perform selections from La Bayadère, starring Monica Loughman - a ballet that has never before been performed in Ireland by an Irish ballet company -- and Don Quixote. Also in store are Mr. Foley's new ballet, Gira Con Me, with music by Josh Groban, and the premiere of Bodyguard, with music by Paul Simon. (3 - 4 November)
On a national level, CoisCéim Dance Theatre follows its Opera House 2006 debut, KNOTS, with a new work, Out of Harm's Way, on 26 and 27 February. In the Half Moon, Ireland Dance Stars brings an exotic fusion of dance cultures performed by an all-female cast on 14 October. Internationally, Diversions, the Dance Company of Wales, presents a new triple bill on 11 February.
A clutch of comedies include the rude, the crude and the just plain hilarious from performers from Ireland and around the world. Dublin's Dierdre O'Kane, Cork's Niall Toibin, Australia's Kevin Bloody Wilson, Clare's Brendan Grace and the UK's Roy Chubby Brown will appear.
Another Irish visitor to Cork Opera House is the Gaiety Theatre's shot of theatrical Viagra, Dirty Dusting. Facing redundancy, a trio of 70-something Dublin cleaners set up a phone sex service, and that's when the fun really begins. (opens 20 November)
Cork Opera House and the Half Moon Theatre are where concert-goers should be on many nights, as both stages will ring out with a range of music. The programme includes traditional Irish, rock, tribute shows, contemporary, and more, performed by Buddy Holly & the Cricketers; Mickey Harte; Foster and Allen; Finbar Wright; Joe Dolan; Jack L; Josh Ritter; Isla Grant; Red Hurley; Frank and Ella at Carnegie Hall; Tommy Fleming; Liam Lawton; Bootleg Beatles; Marc Copland; Kieran Goss.
A free concert by Mick Flannery presented by the Beamish Experience is part of the autumn line up (24 September), as is the 51st Cork Film Festival (8-15 October). The Guinness Jazz Festival presents the Harlem Gospel Choir; Courtney Pine, and the Joe Lovano Nonet (27-29 October).
Rub the Magic Lamp and you might get your wish -- to see the 2006 pantomime, Aladdin. A magic carpet adventure is in store with Aladdin, his crazy mother Widow Twankey, and of course the Genie, as they embark on an amazing quest to rescue the Princess and the lamp.
A highlight of Cork's social calendar will be the Gala Fundraising Concert Night starring The Three Tenors and Star Soprano on Thursday 2 November. Tickets will contribute the next phase of capital works to the main auditorium. Ring 021 427 4308 for details.
The September-April brochure is out now and available from Cork Opera House and many other outlets. Our website, [ http://www.corkoperahouse.ie/ ]www.corkoperahouse.ie, contains the latest performance information, special offers, competitions to win tickets and much more.
Bookings may be made on-line, 7 days a week, 24 hours per day. Telephone bookings may be made by ringing box office on 021 427 0022. All internet and telephone bookings are subject to a handling fee.
Please address any queries regarding the Cork Opera House Autumn/Winter season to the Marketing Department:
Amy Tiller, atiller@corkoperahouse.ie, 021-4905202
Jamie Monagan, jmonagan@corkoperahouse.ie, 021-4905218
Melanie O'Brien, mobrien@corkoperahouse.ie, 021-4274308
WHERE WILL YOU BE TONIGHT?
Cork Opera House is proudly supported by Bulmers.
