Must see shows this season
THEATRE PREVIEW
Start the new year with events, festivals, concerts, shows and more great things to see at Cavan’s Ramor and Townhall theatres.
Don’t dwell too much on the prospect of snow, bitter cold and wintry chill, allow the Celt to point out some of the best ways to kick start the first few months of 2024 from an entertainment point of view.
Seamus O’Rourke (Lakelands), an established actor and playwright, and Joan Sheehy, actor and director recently seen in Oscar nominate An Cailín Ciúin appear in The Empty Nest at Virginia’s revamped Ramor (Friday-Saturday, January 19-20).
Written by emerging playwright Oisín Flores Sweeney, and directed by Geoff Gould, this hilarious piece of theatre looks at how couples negotiate life after the kids leave, their dreams, disappointments, longings and uncompromising opinions on pretty much everything in between.
A firm favourite, Joe The Magician, from the hugely popular RTÉjr TV show ‘abraKIDabra’ meanwhile returns to the Townhall, Cavan (Saturday, January 27). Spend an afternoon of mind boggling fun. He brought the roof down when he played the same venue last year so early booking is advised.
On February 24 the Ramor will host Sean Moylan, Irish Revolutionary, again directed by the busy Geoff Gould, a one man’s account of key events during the Irish War of Independence written and performed by Michael Patric (An Cailín Ciúin, Smother, Frontier).
Telling the true life tale of a man who sacrificed, suffered and risked his life for his country, it promises to entertain, inform and provoke conversation. It got great reaction when it played the Townhall last year.
Thanks in no small part to the dedication of the team across both theatres, Cavan is fast becoming a must perform venue on the circuit of many major names.
The fabulous Frank and Walters will play a very special acoustic set at Cavan’s Townhall (Saturday, Feburary 24). Recently the band captured a whole new audience when their ‘90’s hit single ‘After All’ featured on cult comedy show ‘The Young Offenders’ (the infamous ‘Billy Murphy’ bus hijack scene), but the intimate magic of their songs have been charming generations.
From classics to the one of the most striking talents to emerged from Ireland in the past few years, Cork native Lyra will perform a ‘Sold Out’ at Cavan’s Townhall, Tuesday, February 27.
Think CMAT, think Goldfrapp, think peak noughties era Kylie mirrorball hits, Lyra has established herself on both the domestic and international stage with a string of exciting, vibrant singles accompanied by a unique style of visual presentation that is never less than stunning.
Finally on the Celt’s must see list is Dotts O’Connor who will play the Ramor on Saturday, March 2.
Best known as the guitarist of RTÉ Choice nominated band Come On Live Long and Dirty Dreamer, Dotts’ new solo project is a departure from his previous work and coincides with him moving from Dublin to Cavan (via London)
His recently released debut solo EP ‘Coney’ is a culmination of time spent working on his craft.
Special guest on the night, Donal O’Connor, has been writing songs for over 30 years and has toured the UK, Germany, USA, Spain, Australia and New Zealand.