Theatre Nights: Spillane on stage, and pantos galore

In between performances of the panto Red Riding Hood, John Spillane and friends will be at the Everyman this Sunday night, December 22, offering songs for the season in what has now become a great annual tradition from Cork’s folk poet.

Then the panto team take over again, playing right up to December 23 and returning on December 27, with both matinee and evening shows of Red Riding Hood.

Don’t forget the special ones: Audio-described performance and touch tour on Friday, January 3 at 1.30pm, facilitated by Bríd Ní Ghruagáin; ISL-interpreted performance on Saturday, January 4 at 1.30pm, facilitated by Ray Greene; and the relaxed performance on Sunday, January 12 at 11am. You need to book specially for those either at the box office or on 021 450 1673. Otherwise www.everymancork.com.

You’d have thought Catherine Mahon-Buckley would be grateful to take a rest after masterminding that Everyman panto, but not a bit of it! She has sent us details of the CADA Panto, Red In The Woods, which will feature the Academy’s brilliant pupils and be performed just once, on January 8 at Everyman.

Can you imagine the excitement building up among students as they rehearse tirelessly and get all their families wound up too? It’s such good training for the future, both for the theatre and for everyday real life, to learn all the skills of practicing, following rules, observing timekeeping, showing reliability – and of course communicating, something which is in danger of being eroded in today’s world of mobile phones.

It promises to be a jaw-dropping extravaganza, says Catherine, bursting with energy, a sheaf of scripts in one hand, a brightly-coloured costume in the other. “Something for everyone, turning a classic story on its head, and really relevant for our modern life.”

But the tradition is still there too, she wouldn’t let that get lost.

“We’re taking you into the deep woods where our red-cloaked heroine soon discovers all is not quite as it seems...”

Plus, there will be the CADA signature blend of show-stopping songs, thigh-slapping gags, breath-taking sets and glittering costumes. Booking as above.

Over at the Opera House, Cinderella continues to December 23 and returns on St Stephen’s Day, with daytime and evening shows, but be aware that several are already sold out.

Trevor Ryan directs while co-writer Frank Mackey plays Nanny Nellie, and Megan Pottinger the heroine. Cork’s own Alison McCormack and Julie Maguire are the all-singing, all-dancing Wicked Stepsisters, while Michael Grennell takes on the role of Baroness Melania Hardup.

Cinderella’s Prince is played by the dashing Paul Wilkins, and Brian Ó’Muirí, fresh from his run in the West End production of The Book Of Mormon, is Buttons.

Plus, of course, polished dancers, musicians, and great young talent from Cork’s stage schools.

The late-night Improvised Panto is an even greater success this year, with extra performances now having been added post-Christmas. Uproarious, completely unscripted, you simply never know what is going to transpire the night you and your friends go (for this is really a show to enjoy with your best mates).

It’s a 10.30pm start, with a strict over-18s rule, and you can catch it from tomorrow night until Monday, December 23, or again on December 27 and 28.

Booking for all Opera House shows on 021 427 0022 or www.corkoperahouse.ie.

There is still time to catch Cú Chulainn agus an Chocolate Factory, our city’s only bilingual pantomime, at Cork Arts Theatre, but it must end this Saturday, and some shows are already sold out, so hurry up. A great way to enjoy the cupla focail! Call 021 450 5624.

May the festive season be happy for you and yours. And here’s to 2025!