5 February 2019
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
New work from local and visiting companies, prestige touring productions, live music, comedy nights and world premieres, it’s difficult to know where to begin when looking at the exciting new brochure for Cork’s Everyman Theatre. Speaking at the Launch of the Spring/Summer Season 2019, Artistic Director Julie Kelleher, invited audiences to the beautiful Victorian Era Theatre in the heart of Cork City with the words “Let us entertain you in 2019.”
The Season started off in style with the critically acclaimed double bill from Belfast’s Prime Cut Productions, East Belfast Boy, a thrilling show with a soundtrack by internationally acclaimed DJ, Phil Kieran, and Every Day I Wake Up Hopeful, a heartbreakingly funny and powerful story of a man facing a mid life crisis. Olivier Award winning Marie Jones’ comedy, Fly me to the Moon, has been delighting audiences and is in the Everyman for just three performances from February 11th. There’s lots more exciting theatre to feast on over the coming months, including This is the Funeral of Your Life a poignant and uplifting show about death and the challenges of living: Talking Shop Ensemble with Rapids, the smash hit show that looks to playfully make the private public: award winning stand-up comedian Christiane O’Mahony’s brings Seahorse to life, a darkly comic play: Clare Monnelly’s Charlie’s a Clepto which was nominated for Best New Play and Best Actress at the Irish Times Theatre Awards: Gary Duggan’s Spotless a gripping new thriller and The Everyman is very excited to host Druid’s production of Sonya Kelly’s Furniture, a laugh out loud comedy which was the hit of Galway International Arts Festival.
Pic DARRAGH KANE
Pic DARRAGH KANE
Pic DARRAGH KANE
Fans of historical drama will want to check out new plays inspired by some of Cork’s most famous figures. In The Big Fellow, writer Declan Gorman takes us on an imaginative journey based on Frank O’Connor’s biography of Michael Collins; and Callback Theatre’s New Play, Sonia, chronicles the stellar career of Sonia O’Sullivan.
Irish National Opera will visit the Everyman with their stunning production of Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, accompanied by the Irish Baroque Orchestra. The Music Programme hops from swing classics to West End Mega Hits with The Story of Swing and Leading Ladies. Karen Underwood takes on the Aretha Franklin Songbook and the ever popular Sunday Songbook will celebrate both Judy Garland and Vera Lynn.
For comedy fans there are plenty of top drawer acts to choose from including Des Bishop, Chris Kent, The 2 Johnnies and Bernard Casey.
Julie Kelleher said she is particularly proud that The Everyman is partnering with Cork Midsummer Festival and Rosa Productions in June to bring the world premiere of Evening Train, a stunning new musical based on the songs and story of Mick Flannery’s much loved album of the same name, adapted by Flannery and acclaimed writer, Ursula Rani Sarma.
The Everyman’s Summer Production this year will transport you to the sticky heat of a 1980s New York Summer and the laugh a minute lines of the genius comic writing of Neil Simon with The Odd Couple and following on from its astonishing success last year the stage adaptation of Louise O’Neill’s Asking for It will return for a limited run.
Executive Director of the Theatre, Seán Kelly, said that he is delighted that audience numbers continue to grow at The Everyman which is testament to the innovative and exciting programme, “there is a vast array of offerings, appealing to people of all ages and interests” he said.
