Christmas theatre is all about pantos. Oh yes it is. Oh not it’s not. Every city in Ireland, and most towns with a venue, will stage some sort of pantomime during the festive season. It is a form of theatre that has never waned in popularity. Most will be sell-outs and need no promotion here.
However, for those of us who may be a little too old for panto (oh yes I am!), there are lots of alternatives, and this week I am taking a look at some of these. One in particular is a must-see. A Christmas Carol opens this week at the Gate Theatre, Dublin, and Jack Thorne’s retelling of the timeless classic features some of the greatest names to tread the boards in Ireland.
Be forewarned. This Dickens story is transformed into a theatrical experience in which inclusivity and community are centre stage, and the barriers between the actors and the audience are redefined for the modern day in a re-configured auditorium. To whet your appetite further, the three ghosts (Christmas past, present and future) are played by Fionnula Flanagan, Camille O’Sullivan and Kate Gilmore.
Dublin
’Twas a time before Christmas, three musical singers
Joined forces to sing songs, to pay for their dinners.
Their voices were tuneful and the banter was funny
Singing all of the show-tunes, for not that much money!
And with that take on a well-loved Christmas rhyme, three stars from the hit musical Les Misérables will bring you two hours of pure musical joy in the main space at the Smock Alley Theatre in the heart of Viking Dublin. Join West End, Broadway and international performers Earl Carpenter, Paul Wilkins and Chris Holland for four shows only, from Thursday 12 December to Saturday 14, including a matinee performance on the last day.
Earl Carpenter, Chris Holland and Paul Wilkins will sing in Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, this Christmas.
These are their only Irish performances during a December tour of Britain and Ireland. The trio will be accompanied on piano by Louise Helyer.
Galway
The Town Hall Theatre in Galway has a wide choice of events in December. Branar Téatar do Pháistí present one of the most interesting shows. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (Oíche Roímh an Nollaíg) finds the town preparing for Christmas; houses are being decorated, cards written, presents wrapped and stockings being hung.
Inspired by the classic poem, this bilingual show combines storytelling, original music and puppetry to create a fun and magical festive show for audiences aged five to 95. There are four performances only between Thursday 19 December and Saturday 21.
Waterford
The Theatre Royal in Waterford goes off-site on Sunday 1 December for a seasonal special. In collaboration with Notable Works, they will present Bach and Handel favourites from the Christmas Oratorio and Messiah at St John’s Church, Parnell Street, Waterford. Under the baton of Kevin O’Carroll, the concert will feature Bridget Knowles (mezzo), Eoin Power (baritone), Andrew Gavin (tenor) and the Waterford Concert Orchestra.
Wexford
In the National Opera House in Wexford, Lyric Opera will present Christmas By Candlelight on Friday 13 December, joining together the world-renowned Palestrina Choir, rising Irish opera star Rachel Croash, and one of Ireland’s leading ensemble groups, Dublin Brass.
Artistic director Vivian Coates creates this most wonderful evening of choral and musical joy in an evocative candle-lit setting. CL
Read more
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Christmas theatre is all about pantos. Oh yes it is. Oh not it’s not. Every city in Ireland, and most towns with a venue, will stage some sort of pantomime during the festive season. It is a form of theatre that has never waned in popularity. Most will be sell-outs and need no promotion here.
However, for those of us who may be a little too old for panto (oh yes I am!), there are lots of alternatives, and this week I am taking a look at some of these. One in particular is a must-see. A Christmas Carol opens this week at the Gate Theatre, Dublin, and Jack Thorne’s retelling of the timeless classic features some of the greatest names to tread the boards in Ireland.
Be forewarned. This Dickens story is transformed into a theatrical experience in which inclusivity and community are centre stage, and the barriers between the actors and the audience are redefined for the modern day in a re-configured auditorium. To whet your appetite further, the three ghosts (Christmas past, present and future) are played by Fionnula Flanagan, Camille O’Sullivan and Kate Gilmore.
Dublin
’Twas a time before Christmas, three musical singers
Joined forces to sing songs, to pay for their dinners.
Their voices were tuneful and the banter was funny
Singing all of the show-tunes, for not that much money!
And with that take on a well-loved Christmas rhyme, three stars from the hit musical Les Misérables will bring you two hours of pure musical joy in the main space at the Smock Alley Theatre in the heart of Viking Dublin. Join West End, Broadway and international performers Earl Carpenter, Paul Wilkins and Chris Holland for four shows only, from Thursday 12 December to Saturday 14, including a matinee performance on the last day.
Earl Carpenter, Chris Holland and Paul Wilkins will sing in Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, this Christmas.
These are their only Irish performances during a December tour of Britain and Ireland. The trio will be accompanied on piano by Louise Helyer.
Galway
The Town Hall Theatre in Galway has a wide choice of events in December. Branar Téatar do Pháistí present one of the most interesting shows. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (Oíche Roímh an Nollaíg) finds the town preparing for Christmas; houses are being decorated, cards written, presents wrapped and stockings being hung.
Inspired by the classic poem, this bilingual show combines storytelling, original music and puppetry to create a fun and magical festive show for audiences aged five to 95. There are four performances only between Thursday 19 December and Saturday 21.
Waterford
The Theatre Royal in Waterford goes off-site on Sunday 1 December for a seasonal special. In collaboration with Notable Works, they will present Bach and Handel favourites from the Christmas Oratorio and Messiah at St John’s Church, Parnell Street, Waterford. Under the baton of Kevin O’Carroll, the concert will feature Bridget Knowles (mezzo), Eoin Power (baritone), Andrew Gavin (tenor) and the Waterford Concert Orchestra.
Wexford
In the National Opera House in Wexford, Lyric Opera will present Christmas By Candlelight on Friday 13 December, joining together the world-renowned Palestrina Choir, rising Irish opera star Rachel Croash, and one of Ireland’s leading ensemble groups, Dublin Brass.
Artistic director Vivian Coates creates this most wonderful evening of choral and musical joy in an evocative candle-lit setting. CL
Read more
The Front Row: a slice of Bacon in Paris
The Front Row: Ballina sets the stage
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