July-October 2017 Programme

JUL | AUG SEPT | OCT 2017

O F FA LY ’ S C E N T R E F O R T H E A R T S

BOOKINGS 057 9122911 | www.birrtheatre.com

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VISUAL ARTS ELEMENTS JUNE–JULY

TINA CLAFFEY Following her successful exhibition, Seoda – Treasure Under Foot, and Seoda – Treasure of the Wetlands, Tina Claffey’s fascination with our native bogs and wetlands continues. In her new exhibition Elements she delves deeper into this natural wilderness, encouraging the viewer to slow down, as they immerse into an underworld of fantasy and mindfulness.

The exhibition continues until 21 July.

MYTH & MAGIC GROUP EXHIBITION FEATURING

BAD APPLE ARTIST COLLECTIVE

JULY–AUGUST

Adam Oehlers, Anita Inverarity, Brittany Hanks, Candace McKay, Helena Reis, Jel Ena, Jinx in the Sky, June Leeloo, Kim Turner, Lea Barozzi, Lioba Brückner, Nom Kinnear King, Olivia Rose, Olivier Castillon, Raul Guerra, Scot Howden, Tammy Mae Moon, Tanya Bond, Yishu Wang and guest artists - Paul Neberra, Tara Fly, Zelyss Established in April of 2012, the Bad Apple Artists have been showcasing their work together throughout various social networking communities and in numerous group exhibitions in the UK, USA and Portugal. The group bring together many styles and disciplines with a common figurative and illustrative thread born out of the Pop Surreal, Fantasy, Fine Art and Low Brow Scenes. Our aim is to give collectors new and interactive means to view and appreciate the art and the artists themselves. This is a worldwide collective – our artists come from Ireland, UK, Australia, Germany, New Zealand, France, Spain, Portugal, China and USA. The Bad Apple Artists are known for their monthly themed auctions on Facebook that attract regular attention from art collectors around the globe.

The exhibition opens on Thursday 27 July, 7pm and runs until end of August.

Kim Turner, Princess & the Trolls

Tanya Bond, Repopulating Lough Bunny

AUGUST–SEPTEMBER

DAYDREAMING

KATHLEEN GORMLEY As its title suggests, anything can happen on canvas, fields can be pink and skies can be green! During the course of painting for this exhibition the artist was listening to her favourite music, Latin American Jazz, and this found its way onto the canvas. Music has a wonderful capacity to inspire, uplift and transport us to worlds beyond the known. This exhibition Daydreaming is about pure and bold colour, energy and freedom – the wonderful freedom of dance and music – a world full of fun, romance and joy. Birr Theatre is well known for its great variety and liveliness and I feel my exhibition Daydreaming has found its home here!

Exhibition opens Friday 8 September and runs until Mid October

JUL

S I G N U P T O D AY F O R O U R E - N E W S L E T T E R SUPERHERO MASTERCLASS | SING DANCE | ACT | NEW CAMP GAMES STARCAMPTV | ARTS & CRAFTS NEWS & WEATHER REPORTING | LOTS OF LAUGHTER | SELF ESTEEM & CONFIDENCE BUILDING | DISNEY CLASSICS | HIP HOP | FUN | MOVIE SCENES | MAKE NEW FRIENDS | LIFE SKILLS | FRIDAY FINALE SHOW SURPRISES & MUCH MORE!

MONDAY 3 – FRIDAY 7 JULY MONDAY 14 – FRIDAY 18 AUGUST STARCAMP is Ireland’s No 1, best known and most trusted camp and is celebrating 10 years! Open to boys and girls aged 4–12, Starcamp offers a camp experience where they have a magical and comprehensive week in a safe, non-competitive and happy environment.

Don’t miss out – Call Now! Book direct at: 021-4377900 www.starcamp.ie info@starcamp.ie

...ARMED WITH A CRYSTALLINE PAIR OF VOCAL CHORDS...

The Irish Times

…IMPRESSIVE MUSICAL TALENT AND OVERWHELMING PASSION Faster Louder

ROESY SATURDAY 8 JULY

Award winning singer-songwriter and artist ROESY returns to Ireland for the second leg of his 2017 Irish Tour. Audiences can expect to hear old favourites like Cast Your Line which aired in early May on The Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch and some new material currently being recorded for the forthcoming EP We Are In The Place due out in October of this year. Over the past 20 years Roesy has shared the bill with international figures such as Bert Jansch, Ron Sexsmith, Paul Brady, Billy Bragg, John Martyn, Joan Armatrading, Donovan, Shane MacGowan and celebrated Irish author Paul Durcan. His melodies have the presence to seem familiar while remaining distinctly his own; impossible to ignore or dismiss. The deceptive simplicity of his lyrical themes reveals their latent complexities upon repeated listening.

“Wolf Counsel is a charming collection of understated and wistful songs. It doesn’t get more languid and dreamlike than this” Hot Press 8pm • €16

B U Y O N L I N E W W W. B I R R T H E AT R E . C O M

THURSDAY 13 – SUNDAY 16 JULY Established in 2013, SCRIPTS IRELAND’S PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL creates unique opportunities for playwrights, aspiring and established, to have their work developed and produced. The picturesque town of Birr, Co. Offaly, a haven of Georgian elegance and boutique chic, plays host to an ensemble of playwrights, producers, actors and directors, all discussing, presenting and producing riveting new works for stage. This innovative playwriting festival features a host of exciting events for lovers of theatre – those who want to create, perform, engage and watch live new theatre in beautiful surroundings.

PERFORMANCES from Fishamble, Branar and Siobhan Donnellan WORKSHOPS with acclaimed writer/director Gina Moxley and artistic director of Fishamble, Jim Culleton POP-UP PLAYS AND OPEN-MIC.

A weekend of theatre awaits you!

Full information:

www.ScriptsIreland.com

A CHANCE TO DANCE MONDAY 17 – FRIDAY 21 JULY

Summer Camp for children with special needs facilitated by Mia King.

This is an opportunity for children with special needs age 6 and above to spend time with an experienced professional dance artist who will lead them in creative dance and movement. It provides an outlet and stimulus to express their feelings of joy and togetherness.

10am–12.30pm. Registration Fee €15 Supported by Birr Municipal District & Birr Lions Club

JUL

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12th ANNUAL

School of Rock

WEDNESDAY 19 – FRIDAY 28 JULY CALLING ALL ROCK STARS! The 12th Annual School of Rock, facilitated by award winning multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter Brendan Keeley, is now enrolling. This course will give intensive training in writing and performing your own and other well-known songs. It will also provide training in various aspects of the music business including copyright, publishing, the recording process, voice training and instrument tuition. Anyone interested in participating should have at least a basic knowledge of an instrument (guitar, drums, bass, voice).

All participants must complete a Registration Form which is available from Box Office.

Age 14 – 19yrs Wednesday 19 – Friday 21 July (2pm–5pm) Saturday 22 July (10.30am–4pm) Monday 24 – Friday 28 July (10.30am–4pm) €70 each; 2 siblings €65 each; 3 siblings €60 each This project is supported by Birr Municipal District

School of Rock Gig FRIDAY 28 JULY Following their intensive training under the guidance of Brendan Keeley, the School of Rock – Class of 2017 will lift the roof at a gig you won’t forget! Don’t miss your chance to see the musicians of the future and be assured the future of music in the midlands is alive and well!

7pm • €5

B I R R V I N TA G E W E E K & A R T S F E S T I VA L 4 th to 11 th August 2017

WILDLY AND DARKLY COMIC

EXISTENTIAL COMEDY AT ITS BEST. BECKETT WOULD BE PROUD”

The Sunday Independent

Sunday Business Post

A LAUGH A MINUTE The Scotsman

BIRR VINTAGE WEEK & ARTS FESTIVAL LUNCHTIME THEATRE BEWLEY’S CAFÉ THEATRE

BURIDAN’S ASS A comedy by S. R. Plant

MONDAY 7 – TUESDAY 8 AUGUST

Starring Michael James Ford and Ruairi Heading. Directed by Iseult Golden.

The outrageous and acclaimed cult comedy BURIDAN’S ASS, which enjoyed a sell out run in Bewley’s Café Theatre last year, is going on the road this summer.

Mahone, the last in a line of taxidermists of Russian descent, is struggling to save his dying business. The trade in stuffed animals has hit rock bottom and his only commission, the corpse of a much-loved pet badger, has gone disastrously wrong. Moreover he is beset by a series of emotional and philosophical crises and is haunted by the demons of his philandering past. But, spurred on by his irrepressible apprentice Ernest Blades, Mahone sets out to overcome the paralysing effects of Buridan’s Ass Syndrome and to find redemption through physical passion.

1.05pm • €15 (incl. light lunch)

B I R R V I N TA G E W E E K & A R T S F E S T I VA L 4 th to 11 th August 2017

TUESDAY 8 AUGUST Director Len Collins • Screenplay by Christian O’Reilly • Producer Edwina Forkin, Zanzibar Films Starring Kieran Coppinger, Charlene Kelly, Patrick Becker, Valerie Egan, Robert Doherty, Jennifer Cox, Paul Connolly, Frank Butcher, Emer Macken, Michael Hayes, Karen Murphy.

In association with Blue Teapot Theatre Company

A film, set in the world of people with intellectual disabilities, the multi award-winning SANCTUARY is a touching and funny love story about Larry and Sophie, two people who long to be together in a world that does everything to keep them apart. Larry has Down syndrome, Sophie has severe epilepsy. The two are attracted to each other and, through a care worker Tom, they sneak away to a hotel room during a supervised trip to the cinema. What do they do once they are there? How do they express a love that dare not speak its name? Are they aware that in Ireland they are about to break the law? While these questions are posed the rest of their colleagues seek out their own challenges: an impromptu shopping trip, pints in the pub, and a surreptitious cuddle in front of a movie screen. Dave Allen once said “the secret of comedy is small victories” and these mini triumphs offset the dramatic challenges that take place in a Galway hotel room between two lovers who refuse to be defined by their disabilities.

Inclusion Ireland National Association for People with an Intellectual Disability - Promoting Dignity, Inclusion, Social Justice, Democracy, & Autonomy.

8pm • No charge – donations to Offaly Down Syndrome Association.

Advance Booking recommended.

Cert: 15a • Running Time: 90 mins • Release date: 7 July 2017 • IMDB rating: 8.9

Classics

LUNCHTIME THURSDAY 10 AUGUST

Featuring the best of emerging young singers and musicians from the region, all pursuing professional careers in the classical field.

DYLAN ROONEY (baritone) and MOLLIE WRAFTER (violin) both whom delighted audiences with wonderful performances at Birr Festival of Music & Voice 2017, will be joined by BREFFNI FITZPATRICK (soprano) and LAURA SHEILS (piano).

With a programme ranging from familiar classics and film themes to delightful solos and duets, you can enjoy a light lunch, while enjoying the wealth of talent before you! All proceeds from the event will go to support these young artists in their continuing professional training. This Festival event sold out quickly last year, so early booking advised!!

1.05pm • €15 (Includes light lunch)

B I R R V I N TA G E W E E K & A R T S F E S T I VA L 4 th to 11 th August 2017

Lunchtime

CABERET FRIDAY 11 AUGUST Singers ANN HOGAN, JOHN MOLLOY and pianist ENDA O’CONNOR are delighted to have their first reunion concert in many years on home ground to mark the end of Vintage Week 2017! Presenting something a little different, this concert will feature the music of Cole Porter, Jacques Brel and William Bolcom among other surprises. John takes a break from his busy international concert and opera schedule to join Enda and Ann. With a busy career as conductor, musical director and teacher, Enda needs no introduction. Having the enviable title of being Deirdre Hanniffy’s first singing student in the early ‘90s, Ann now combines teaching, acting and singing in Dublin and has reunited this trio, who have shared the Birr stage together on many occasions from Opera Galas to Vintage concerts to Gilbert & Sullivan operettas. They hope you will enjoy this concert as much as they have enjoyed putting it together!

1.05pm • €15 (Includes light lunch)

Don’t miss two of Ireland’s finest songwriters and performers LUAN PARLE and CLIVE BARNES performing together on our stage to round off Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival 2017.

LUAN PARLE AND CLIVE BARNES FRIDAY 11 AUGUST Luan is a Meteor Award winner with numerous hits and accolades. Her top 10 hit single ‘Ghost’ will be familiar to lots of you. She is currently working on new material due for release in 2017. Clive Barnes is highly regarded as one of the finest performers on the roots circuit and has been gaining a worldwide reputation as one of the finest songwriters and guitarists on today's scene. Having released four critically acclaimed albums of his own, he has played and recorded with the likes of Joe Cocker, Taj Mahal and Eric Bibb and also shared stages with Dr John, Jeff Beck, Solomon Burke, The Blind Boys of Alabama, & Gary Clark Jr to name but few. This promises to be a very special night of music.

8pm • €15

AUG

S I G N U P T O D AY F O R O U R E - N E W S L E T T E R

MON 3 – FRI 7 JULY MON 14 – FRI 18 AUGUST SEE FULL DETAILS IN JULY Book now at WWW.STARCAMP.IE or call 021 4377900

Following two Sold-Out performances at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, Sheldon Nulty Music once again presents soprano SANDRA OMAN and baritone SIMON MORGAN in this unforgettable tribute to Silver Screen Icons of the ’30s and ’40s, Jeannette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, in song and projected images.

The Love Story of MGM Legends Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER Starring SANDRA OMAN (soprano) SIMON MORGAN (baritone) DAVID WRAY (piano)

All of their famous cinematic hits – Will You Remember?; Rose Marie; Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life; Lover Come Back to me; Wanting You; Indian Love Call; – will be interspersed with the story of their life long off-screen love affair. Forbidden to marry by MGM mogul Louis B. Mayer, they were both coerced into unhappy marriages, which ultimately led to their untimely deaths. Magnificent photographic stills and candid shots from a private American collection, projected onto a large screen, will accompany the compelling narration, based on Sharon Rich's lauded biography Sweethearts: The Timeless Love Story – on screen and off – of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. Sandra Oman’s albums, Liberty and Noël, have both gone to Number One on the iTunes Vocal Download Charts. No stranger to Birr, her career in opera and concert has taken her from the Gaiety Theatre, where she was an Opera Ireland favourite, across Europe and to North America. Simon Morgan, also a chart-topping recording artist, has embraced an eclectic cross-section of vocal repertoire, from the role of Silvio in the opera Pagliacci (a role that Nelson Eddy performed on-stage) to hit songs of the 1930s and 1940s. A concert for all lovers of operetta and the Silver Screen!

8pm • €23/€20

B U Y O N L I N E W W W. B I R R T H E AT R E . C O M

I SHALL STAY THE WAY I AM, BECAUSE I DO NOT GIVE A DAMN! Dorothy Parker

HONOR HEFFERNAN The Whistling Girl SATURDAY 16 SEPTEMBER

The acclaimed Irish duo of singer and actress HONOR HEFFERNAN and composer /keyboard player TREVOR KNIGHT proudly present their new cabaret/speakeasystyle show, The Whistling Girl. Trevor Knight has transformed the poems of Dorothy Parker into songs, using her witty, droll and sometimes heart rending lyrics which are uniquely interpreted by Honor Heffernan. Each of the songs are infused with a unique ‘voice’, creating individual tableaux or dream moments from Parker’s psyche, conjuring up images from her tempestuous life of outrageous celebrity, as founding member of the notorious Algonquin set in New York, and as civil rights activist in America and Spain during the Spanish Civil War. A band of top Irish musicians including Garvan Gallagher bass, Tom Jamieson drums, Ed Deane electric guitar, Ciaran Wilde saxophone’s, Bill Blackmore horns and Trevor Knight keyboards, will be fronted by vocalist and actress Honor Heffernan. With this production, Dorothy Parker’s poetry and prose will be opened to a wide audience through exciting musical idioms that will breathe new life into the work of this great American literary icon.

8pm • €18/€16

CULTURE NIGHT 2017 FRIDAY 22 SEPTEMBER Be part of CULTURE NIGHT 2017 and enjoy a host of free events throughout the country. Museums, galleries, cultural and arts centres throughout Ireland will open their doors and welcome people of all ages to taste and sample their cultural delights for FREE. We wish to invite you to observe an Acting Masterclass with internationally renowned Geoff Colman (see next listing for full details). You are welcome to come along and observe throughout the afternoon.

Birr Theatre & Arts Centre will coordinate other activities in Birr – more details to follow. See our website and press for details.

FREE event – All Welcome!

SEPT

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Offaly Drama Project

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS ACTING MASTERCLASS

with Geoff Colman

Head of Acting at the prestigious Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London.

FRIDAY 22 – SUNDAY 24 SEPTEMBER An excellent opportunity for experienced actors to TRAIN with an exceptional acting teacher of international renown. Geoff Colman works with each individual on strengthening their core acting practice. It is amazing to OBSERVE him working with other actors in the group.

Friday and Saturday 10am–6pm, Sunday 10am–1pm.

Actor places limited – “first come first served basis” – Course Fee: €150.00.

Observers places have a €20.00 fee per day.

Bookings can be made with Fiona Breen at 086 890 4828 or fionabreen247@gmail.com

Film@BirrTheatre

THE SECRET SCRIPTURE

Director: Jim Sheridan Ireland, 2016, | (English) 108 minutes | Cert: 12A

TUESDAY 26 SEPTEMBER Starring: Rooney Mara, Vanessa Redgrave, Jack Reynor

*IMDb rating 6.6 8pm • €5/€3 s See 5 Film get 6th

FREE

Collect your loyalty card at Box Office

Based on Sebastian Barry’s acclaimed novel, Jim Sheridan’s first Irish-set film since The Boxer (1997) explores the life and history of Roseanne McNulty (Vanessa Redgrave), a woman confined to the Roscommon Mental Hospital for 50 years. As the institution is about to close, Dr. Grene (Eric Bana) is sent to see whether she’s fit to be released. He’s intrigued by Roseanne’s eccentricities and her fierce attachment to her Bible, in which she’s been keeping a diary since she was first admitted. As he delves into her past, Dr. Grene gets to know the younger Roseanne (played by Rooney Mara) and eventually learns the terrible truth about her confinement. Shot in the starkly beautiful west of Ireland, The Secret Scripture uncovers a dark chapter in Ireland’s history.

Audi Dublin International Film Festival 2017

BOOKING YOUR TICKETS Tickets are non-refundable and must be paid for at time of booking.

Please have your credit/debit card ready.

All ticket prices include €1 transaction fee.

Box Office: Open Monday to Friday: 1–5.30pm 057 9122911

BOOK ONLINE: WWW.BIRRTHEATRE.COM

B U Y O N L I N E W W W. B I R R T H E AT R E . C O M

CONAL GALLEN

How’s Your Father SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER How’s Your Father? is a non-stop, laugh a minute riot of craic, confusion and constant laughter! It’s the hilarious brand new comedy play from the cream of Irish comedy! Father and son team, Conal and Rory Gallen have written probably their funniest comedy play to date! A B&B! A Landlady! A Priest! A Jockey! A Mystery!

Bridie Murphy opens Bridie’s Boutique B&B, much to her husband Willie’s bewilderment! “This is a B&B which has to be seen to be believed!! – Tripadvisor” With their young, confused neighbour, Dick, having some family problems, Bridie steps in to help! There’s only one thing for it! Bring in the Priest! Which only serves to make things even more confusing!! It’s a side-splitting tale of love, deceit, mystery, bad food and a bit of “How’s Your Father” thrown in for good measure!

8pm • €25 • Age Recommendation 16+

Film@BirrTheatre

THE SALESMAN (Forushande)

Director: Asghar Farhadi Iran, France, 2016 | (Persian, English) 125 minutes | Cert: 12A

TUESDAY 3 OCTOBER Starring: Shahab Hosseini, Taraneh Alidoosti, Babak Karimi

*IMDb rating 8.0 8pm • €5/€3 s See 5 Film get 6th

FREE

Collect your loyalty card at Box Office

Young acting-couple Rana and Emad must find a new home when the crumbling Tehran building in which they live threatens to collapse. They take up the offer from a fellow actor of an empty apartment, but the murky history of the accommodation’s previous tenant lead to a sudden violent act involving Rana. As each of them struggles to come to terms with what has happened, the strain starts to affect their relationship.

Award-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi (A Separation, The Past), with the aid of the outstanding performances of his two lead actors, delivers another characteristically taut, moral drama, which recently picked up the Oscar® for Best Foreign Language Film.

OCT

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The Mental

By John McKenna

FRIDAY 6 OCTOBER

The Mental, is the third play in John MacKenna’s Barrow Trilogy – following Corner Boys and Lucinda Sly. Set in St Joseph’s psychiatric hospital in 1990, it’s the story of John Salter, a man who has been in psychiatric care for forty years for ‘attempting to do a good deed.’ But times are changing and patients are moving into community houses – something John Salter is resisting. ‘If I go, who’ll get the crows up in the morning and who’ll get them into their nests at night?’ he asks. The Mental is a warm and gentle story of one man’s journey through a life that might have followed a different path. Directed by Angela Keogh.

8pm • €15/€13

LIVE & KICKING TOUR PAT EGAN PRESENTS THE GRIEF OF BILLIE HOLIDAY, THE SOUL OF VAN MORRISON AND THE DEFIANCE OF EDITH PIAF…

Mary Coughlan SUNDAY 8 OCTOBER MARY COUGHLAN has often been described as the greatest female vocalist and interpreter of songs that Ireland has ever produced. She stands proudly alongside the iconic giants of jazz on both sides of the Atlantic, Billie Holiday and Edith Piaf.

Celebrating thirty plus years in the music business, Mary is the only singer these shores have produced to rival the greatest of European cabaret and American jazz club blues because of one thing: her unique voice. She is unique in blending the whisky-blurred, smoke-seared, husky notes and laconic wit of Billie Holiday and Peggy Lee and the line of deep, down and dirty blues singers back to Memphis Minnie and Bessie Smith with the sardonic, bittersweet defiance and despair of the Piaf. Mary Coughlan delivers it all in a delicious and unapologetic Irish drawl, sceptical, rueful, mournful and melting, ardent for love, all in one voice which wraps itself around Cole Porter and Jerome Kern, Elvis Presley and Joy Division. Mary has taken the classic standards of jazz balladry and the recent gems of rock and Irish song-writing, shaken them and offered them up anew.

8pm • €20

IRELAND HAS NEVER PRODUCED A SINGER QUITE LIKE MARY COUGHLAN The Irish Times

MARY’S LIVE PERFORMANCES MUST BE SEEN TO BE BELIEVED New Music Express

B I R R , C O . O F FA LY FILMMAKING • WORKSHOPS • SCREENINGS

Wednesday 11 – Sunday 15 October 2017 See www.OfflineFilmFestival.com for details Film@BirrTheatre

A MAN CALLED OVE En Man Som Heter Ove

Director: Hannes Holm Sweden, Norway, 2016 (Swedish, Persian) 116 minutes | Cert: CLUB

TUESDAY 17 OCTOBER Starring: Rolf Lassgard, Bahar Pars, Filip Berg, Ida Engvoll, Tobias Almborg, Klas Wiljergard, Chatarina Larsson, Borje Lundberg

*IMDb rating 7.7 8pm • €5/€3

s See 5 Film get 6th

FREE

Collect your loyalty card at Box Office

Ove is a “nit-picking obstructionist” widower who polices his tiny town like a tyrant and is desperate to kill himself so he can be reunited with his late, beloved wife, Sonja. Those suicidal plans are constantly interrupted by his community’s residents, most notably a just-moved-in family of four led by Iranian-born Parvaneh, who shrugs off Ove’s nastiness with preternatural bigheartedness. As Ove’s icy exterior begins to thaw, writerdirector Hannes Holm gives us lengthy flashbacks to Ove’s youth with his own widowered father and to his marriage to Sonja – alternately sorrowful and joyous incidents that deepen the character, casting his senior-citizen gruffness as the natural byproduct of accumulated experience.

NOMINATED BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR, SWEDEN, ACADEMY AWARDS 2017. WON EUROPEAN FILM AWARD, EUROPEAN COMEDY, EUROPEAN FILM AWARDS 2016.

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Aonghus McAnally Celebrating CHRISTIE HENNESSY

THE PLATINUM COLLECTION SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER Renowned entertainer recreates the iconic sound of his close friend in a touching tribute to one of Ireland’s greatest singer-songwriters.

After a sell-out tour last Autumn RTÉ personality, AONGHUS McANALLY, takes his Celebrating Christie Hennessy – The Platinum Collection show on a nationwide tour. One of Ireland’s most beloved singer-songwriters, Christie Hennessy delighted audiences at home and abroad until his tragic and untimely death in 2007, aged just 62. In this all-new show, celebrated entertainer, Aonghus McAnally brings the Hennessy songbook to life with his uncanny recreation of his close friend Christie’s voice and guitar playing. Featuring all his best loved hits – Messenger Boy, Jealous Heart, Don’t Forget Your Shovel, If You Were To Fall, All The Lies That You Told Me, and the iconic Roll Back The Clouds – this magical evening showcases the storytelling brilliance of Christie Hennessy with 22 of his greatest songs. Inhabiting the role of Christie is particularly poignant for Aonghus as the two were such close friends – Aonghus even delivered the eulogy at Christie’s funeral. Speaking about the show, Aonghus said, “It’s a genuine privilege to share Christie’s incredible music with audiences around the country, and an honour to be part of keeping his spirit alive.”

8pm • €23/€21 Film@BirrTheatre

THE ODYSSEY L’Odyssée

Director: Jérôme Salle France, 2016 | (French) 123 minutes | Cert: CLUB

TUESDAY 24 OCTOBER Starring: Lambert Wilson, Pierre Niney, Audrey Tautou

*IMDb rating 6.7 8pm • €5/€3 s See 5 Film get 6th

FREE

Collect your loyalty card at Box Office

Summer 1946. Jacques-Yves Cousteau is living a seemingly paradisiac life in the Mediterranean together with his family. But Cousteau never finds himself in a state of happiness: the entrepreneurial go-getter lives and breathes maritime adventure.

Driven by his unshakable belief in progress, he sets sail in his recently purchased research vessel Calypso on a voyage to discover the oceans of the world. Ten years later, his now adult son Philippe wants to follow in his father’s footsteps. While Jacques – who is on the verge of becoming a megalomaniac – dreams of underwater dwellings, his son realises the innovation could be a major danger to the environment. Their relationship is put to the test when the two set off on a joint expedition.

L’Odyssée is the long-awaited biopic of a world-renowned scientist and filmmaker. – Zurich Film Festival 2016

jelly legs 21 SUNDAY 29 OCTOBER At the age of 21, on the 14th of October 1996, Birr’s MUNDY released his debut Album Jelly Legs. The critically acclaimed debut, produced by ‘Youth’, went on to sell a respectable 60,000 copies around the world. This year will mark the 21st Anniversary of Jelly Legs and also 21 years since his song To You I Bestow appeared on the Hollywood block buster movie Romeo and Juliet by Baz Luhrman. The movies soundtrack, cherished by many, sold over 11 million copies around the world. The album featured the songs Pardon Me and Life’s a Cinch which also got MTV and VH1 rotation plus the highly requested song Gin and Tonic Sky. Now Jelly Legs remains a timeless ageless classic and Mundy is marking the occasion. To celebrate he is reforming his old band with Guitarist Steo Farrell, Drummer Cion O’Callaghan and Bassist Shane Fitzsimons.

The band toured France, the UK and the States extensively also sharing bills with Van Morrison, Manic Street Preachers, Cast and Stereophonics to name but a few. Enjoy a trip down memory lane as he rounds off this special tour in Springtown itself!

8pm • €22

BOOKING Tickets are non-refundable and must be paid for at time of booking.

Please have your credit/debit card ready. All ticket prices include €1 transaction fee.

Box Office: Open Monday – Friday: 1 – 5.30pm 057 9122911 Online: www.birrtheatre.com where you can select your seat (no additional charges).

Cheques payable to Birr Stage Guild Ltd. In the final hour before a show only tickets for that performance can be processed. To comply with fire regulations children (even babies) must have a ticket.

CONCESSIONS We offer concession rates, where possible, to students, under 18’s, senior citizens, unemployed and disabled. Current I.D. is essential to avail of these concessions.

GROUP RATES Group rates are available. Please enquire at Box Office.

LATECOMERS All performances start at 8pm (unless otherwise stated). Doors open 30 minutes before performance. Performances will start on time – please don’t be late! Latecomers will not be admitted until there is a suitable break, which in some cases may be the interval.

DISABLED ACCESS Birr Theatre and Arts Centre is accessible for wheelchair users.

We also have a house wheelchair for your use. This can be booked for a performance or the chair can be used to bring you from your car to your seat (please note: there are two steps to the front row seats). Please make your requirements known at the time of booking. It is advisable to book in advance.

CHILDREN Children must be accompanied by an adult at all performances.

FOOD & DRINK Wine, beer, coffee and soft drinks will be available during the interval.

No food and drink permitted in the auditorium.

PARKING There is ample street parking. However we remind you we are located in a residential area and ask you to be conscious not to block private entrances.

MAILING LIST Join our mailing list now by emailing info@birrtheatre.com or leave your details at reception. Ensure to leave your mobile number for regular text reminders.

FURTHER INFORMATION Birr Theatre & Arts Centre Oxmantown Hall, Birr, Co Offaly Box Office: 057 9122911 Email: info@birrtheatre.com Web: www.birrtheatre.com Venue Manager: Emma Nee Haslam

Comhairle Chontae Uíbh Fhailí Offaly County Council

This project is supported by the Department of Social Protection and Pobal through the Community Services Programme.

Information correct at time of print. Sometimes changes are unavoidable and we apologise for same.

Call Box Office or check local press for further details.

Expert care made personal

Haven Pharmacy Butlers

Main St. Birr. t: 057-9120189 DESIGN AND PRINT: BROSNA PRESS 090 6454327