N e w s - R e v i e w s - I n t e r v i e w s - W h a t ’ s O n

Issue 1

Jan-Feb ‘12

Interview with

Wexford Opera House15th & 22nd Jan 2012

Tickets Available from

www.wexfordoperahouse.ie

CONTENTSNews

� Grand Canal announces new programme full of WestEnd/Broadway Hits.� Jeff Waynes announces The War of the Worlds, The New

Generation, an all new production of his smash hit new

Interview� Exclusive interview with Irish musical theatre legend Colm

Wilkinson

What’s on� We take a look at what’s on around the country and

recommend the top shows to see this January

Auditions� Exclusive interview with Irish musical theatre legend Colm

Wilkinson

News 25th Anniversary Production

Sets Dublin Dates

After 25 phenomenal years, a spectacular newproduction of Andrew Lloyd Webber's legendarymusical is coming to Dublin. With an excitingnew design and staging, retaining MariaBjörnson's amazing costumes, be the first tosurrender to the music of the night and fall inlove with the Phantom in his new guise all overagain!

The Phantom of the Opera became the longest runningshow in Broadway history on 9 January 2006 when itcelebrated its 7,486th performance, surpassing theprevious record holder “Cats”. This coincided with theBroadway and the US national touring companycelebrating an unprecedented 20,000 performances in theUnited States. In October 2010 the London productioncelebrated its 10,000th performance.

The Phantom of the Opera has won over 60 major theatreawards, including seven Tony on Broadway and threeOlivier Awards in the West End. It won the ‘MostPopular Musical Audience Award’, voted by the public,in the 2002 Laurence Olivier Awards. The Phantom ofthe Opera, which opened at Her Majesty's Theatre on 9October 1986 starred Michael Crawford as 'The Phantom'and Sarah Brightman as 'Christine.' It is produced byCameron Mackintosh by arrangement with The ReallyUseful Group.

John Owen-Jones will play the role of ‘The Phantom’ andKatie Hall to play ‘Christine’ in the Dublin leg of thetour.

John Owen-Jones has just finished playing the roleof ‘The Phantom’ in The Phantom of the Opera atHer Majesty’s Theatre in the West End. He hasappeared on Broadway and in the West End as‘Jean Valjean’ in Les Misérables and also playedthe role in the recent 25th Anniversary tour of theshow. Earl Carpenter recently played the role of‘Javert’ in the West End production of LesMisérables and also played the role in the 25thAnniversary tour of the show. He has also played‘The Phantom’ in the West End production of ThePhantom of the Opera as well as the starring role of‘Darryl Van Horne’ in The Witches of Eastwick atthe Prince of Wales Theatre, also in the West End.His touring credits include ‘Joe Gillis’ in SunsetBoulevard.

Katie Hall was a boot camp contestant for theBBC1’s search for ‘Nancy’ in I’d Do Anything andwas a final round contender for Andrew LloydWebber’s search for the Eurovision entry, YourCountry Needs You, also for BBC1. After leavingthe I’d Do Anything competition she wasimmediately cast to cover the role of ‘Christine’ inThe Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatreand is now the alternate ‘Christine’ in theproduction. Katie has also played the role of‘Cosette’ in Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatrein the West End, on the 25th Anniversary tour andalso at the O2.

The Phantom of the Opera runs at the Grand CanalTheatre, Dublin from 5th July until 4th of August,with matinees every Wednesday and Saturday.Tickets available from www,grandcanaltheatre.ie

Grand Canal Theatre 17th-25th January

Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage, written byEleanor Bergstein, script writer and creator of the

phenomenally successful film, features all the much-loved characters and originaldialogue from the iconic film with exciting extra scenes added in!The tantalising dance sequences and brand new choreography come alive on stage, set to all the hits from theunforgettable soundtrack, such as ‘Do You Love Me?’, ‘Hungry Eyes’ and the Academy Award Winning ‘(I’veHad) The Time Of My Life’, plus many more songs that weren’t on the original recording, making the show atruly extraordinary live experience.

Over 5 million people worldwide have now seen this sensational production, with the UK show alone havingbeen seen over 1 million. Having opened in 2006, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage in London wassold out 6 months in advance breaking West End records.

Winner of 7 major awards including the coveted BestMusical 2011 (Olivier Awards) this all singing, alldancing romantic comedy is about knowing who you

are and showing what you’ve got!

Elle Woods can handle anything. So when her boyfriend, Warner, dumps her she decides to follow him toHarvard Law School and win him back. With some help from new-found friends Paulette, Emmett and herChihuahua Bruiser, she learns that it’s so much better to be smart.

Directed by Tony and Olivier Award winning Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray), Legally Blonde The Musical is thefunniest and most fabulous musical around. The best show in town, case closed.

Ray Quinn will play the role of ‘Warner’ (Brookside, X Factor finalist, Dancing on Ice winner and star ofDirty Dancing and Grease in the West End) with Niki Evans as ‘Paulette’ (X Factor, Blood Brothers in theWest End and on tour). Further casting to be announced.

Grand Canal Theatre 10th-21st April

Grand Canal Theatre 3rd-7th April

After nearly five years of mischief, bad behaviour and politicalincorrectness, London’s funniest show by far is hitting the road. TheTony Award – winning Avenue Q is the irresistibly charming musicalabout the lovably hopeless characters on a downtown New York street

trying to make sense of life’s burning issues: love, work, relationships and, above all, howare you supposed to pay the bills with a BA in English?

Hilarious and uproariously entertaining, with a terrific batch of songs performed by a cast of hugely talentedperformers and puppets, Avenue Q is the musical like no other. So don’t let your life suck – book your tickets

JEFF WAYNE'S MUSICAL VERSION OFTHE WAR OF THE WORLDS...

THE NEW GENERATION!Based on HG Wells' Classic Science Fiction StoryThe Dazzling, Groundbreaking Arena Production

Launches a New EraStarring LIAM NEESON in 3D Holography,

as George Herbert, The Journalist

On November 29th, the O2 in Dublin will once again comeunder attack by the Martians, as Jeff Wayne's kick starts hisall ‘NEW GENERATION’ production of The War Of TheWorlds The Musical.

One of the most successful stage shows of recent times, JeffWayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds,returns to UK Arenas with a new star and anothertechnological leap forward.

On November 18, 2011 'The New Generation' of JeffWayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worldslaunched in conjunction with Sony Music, Live Nation andSJM Concerts, featuring a new interpretation of the classicrecording followed by a major international arena tourcommencing November 2012.

Internationally acclaimed actor Liam Neeson will be seenin 3D holography as the story's narrator and leading a newcast. Neeson will be seen in 3 ways: appearing as the firstfull body hologram seen on stage interacting with liveactors, as an 11-foot high holographic head and shouldershovering above the stage, and appearing within the 2-hourCGI film projected onto the incredible 100 foot wide'animation wall' which adds a true epic scale to theproduction.

After 33 years since its original release, Liam takes overfrom Richard Burton, whose holographic head hadappeared in the show since 2006, using the originalnarration from Jeff Wayne's classic 1978 album, a soundthat has lived long in the memory and deep in the psyche ofgenerations who have heard it.

Over the years, Jeff was often asked how he wouldapproach composing and producing The War of TheWorlds in today's world, rather than the era of the mid1970s, when disco was king of the dance floor, punk wasthe revolutionary music of the day and science fiction wasbeing re-discovered in the movies and on TV.

He always answered 'why fix what isn't broken?.' He wasproud of the work and especially of all those who hadcontributed their varied talents to bring it to life - David

News

Essex, Justin Hayward, Phil Lynott, Chris Thompson, JulieCovington, and of course, Richard Burton. What Jeff neverpredicted was the extraordinary life his musicalinterpretation of HG Wells' visionary and dark Victoriantale would have. Now some 33 years on and as Jeffapproached his sixth year of touring The War of TheWorlds - Alive on Stage! and an animated feature film nowin development, this same question kept returning.

New Generation Facts:On the original 1978 double album and from 2006 when thearena tours began, Richard Burton's audio andtechnological visual performances contained 74 sequences.Liam Neeson's Journalist contains 90. Richard'sperformance was seen in one way. Liam will be seen inthree:

� As an 11-foot high holographic 'head andshoulders' as The Journalist recounts in 1904 hisstory of survival from the Martian invasion ofVictorian England some six years earlier.

� Within CGI sequences seen on a 100-foot wide'Animation Wall'.

� Perhaps the most remarkable element, and a worldfirst in live entertainment, will see Liam Neesonappearing full body on stage interactingholographically with the show's live performers. Atriumph of technology and a remarkable perform-ance by Liam.

Jeff Wayne will again conduct the Black Smoke Band andULLAdubULLA Strings with musical Guest Artistes to beannounced for both the new album and tour.

The new live production will also contain exciting newingredients, as well as some of the most iconic elementsreturning, including:

� A 3-tonne, 35-foot tall Martian Fighting Machinefiring real flame Heat Rays at the audience andscanning them with its bug-like eyes, as it 'lands' oncentre stage.

� Special effects and illusions including a world first'levitation' and the Martian Fighting Machine's'incineration' of a cast member

� Leaf drops over the audience and surround soundthat engulfs them, contributing to the all-encompassing experience that is The War of TheWorlds.

Jeff Wayne's double album was originally released by CBSrecords in 1978. It has enjoyed huge success and criticalacclaim across the globe with over 15 million records soldand spending over 330 weeks in the UK Album Charts (todate) plus achieving two International hit singles – 'ForeverAutumn' and 'The Eve of The War'.

The War of The Worlds has also won two prestigious UKIvor Novello Awards, the US Best Recording in ScienceFiction and Fantasy (the judges included Alfred Hitchcock,George Lucas and Steven Spielberg), as well as winning forJeff, Classic Rock's 'Showman of The Year' Award.

Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worldshas grown into a true classic, acquiring new generations ofdevoted followers since its original release.

For anyone of any age, The War of The Worlds – The NewGeneration is a unique double album and exciting arenashow, not to be missed!

Since starting to tour in 2006 The War Of The Worlds hashad cast including Justin Hayward and Chris Thompson,both of whom preformed on the original album, TaraBlaise, Alexis James, Russell Watson, Sinéad Quinn,Jennifer Ellison, Shannon Noll, Rhydian, Liz McClarnonand Jason Donavan.

Original Cast recording included:Richard Burton – spoken words(The Journalist: the narrator-protagonist)David Essex – spoken words and vocals(The Artilleryman)Phil Lynott – spoken words and vocals(Parson Nathaniel)Julie Covington – spoken words and vocals (Beth)Justin Hayward – vocals(The Sung Thoughts of The Journalist: "Forever Autumn")Chris Thompson – vocals (The Voice of Humanity: "Thunder Child")Jerry Wayne – spoken words ("Epilogue, Part 2")

Tickets for the O2, Dublin are available fromwww.ticketmaster.ie

AuditionsInternational Large Scale ProductionsProfessional Male and Female DancersEmployer: STEPS The Ultimate TourLocation: London AuditionDirector and Choreographer Gareth Walker is casting for STEPS TheUltimate TourLooking for Professional Male and Female Dancers of exceptional dancetalent. Must be an experienced performer.Men- muscular, strong, trained in all genres. 5’9 minWomen-5’6 min-trained in all genresMust be versatile and open to learn new skills.Open Auditions to be held on January 11th 2012Dance Attic-368 North End Road, Fulham, London SW6(Nearest tube Fulham Broadway)Women - 9am register (Please be prepared to stay all day)Men – 1.00 pm Register (Please be prepared to stay all day)If successful you will be required to attend the recall on January 12th 2012Job dates are from early February until the end of April (Dates are a guide only). You would need to beavailable throughout this time. No agents submissions. The audition will be filmed. Please bring acurrent Photo/Z Card and CV, Women - bring heels and trainers and dress to impress!Please wear appropriate dance-wear, knee pads (and no Uggs!)First come first served basis as there are limited placesThere is a strong likelihood that this will be filmed as part of STEPS REUNION Series Two on SkyLiving

Auditions SingersEmployer: The Lion KingLocation: LondonDisney Presents The Lion KingOpen Call Auditions for Strong SingersDisney Theatrical Productions is looking for male and female singerswith strong soulful/gospel type voices who also have good movementskills. Please be prepared to sing a contemporary pop/rock song andbring the sheet music. No backing tracks. A pianist will be provided.Please bring a CV and photograph stapled together and be prepared towait.Monday January 30TH 2012,0 Lyceum Theatre, 21 Wellington Street,London WC2E 7RQ. Please enter via Stage Door.2.00PM Registration for Afternoon Auditions 2.30PM Auditions commence6.00PM Registration for Evening Auditions 7.30PM Registration endsPerformers of all backgrounds/diverse ethnic groups are encouraged to attend.Section 5 of the race relations Act of 1976 applies. All descriptions given above are for guidance onlyPhotographs by Catherine Ashmore; Alexia Khadime, Roger Wright, Brown Lindiwe Mkhize from theLondon Company

Live at the Opera HouseAlbum

Now AvailableFrom all goodMusic stores

It’s not often you get to see a hero of yours. But more recently I had theextreme honour of sitting down and talking to one of my stage heroes ColmWilkinson. I have been lucky enough to see Colm Wilkinson 3 times inconcert and had the privilege of shaking his hand at each of them.Colm Wilkinson’s life is surrounded by music. The celebrated Broadwayand West End star has spent years on the stage, mesmerizing audiences withhis starring roles in Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera. Now,with the release of his latest solo album, Colm Wilkinson Broadway &Beyond, and a tour of the same name which enjoyed great success with sellout shows in all parts of Ireland.Starting his career in the 1970's, when he performed with one of the bestIrish bands of the era, The Action, Colm has gone on to become one of themost celebrated performers of our time. He has had several pop hits inIreland on the Release label as C.T. Wilkinson, and in 1972 took on the roleof Judas Iscariot in the Dublin and London productions of Jesus ChristSuperstar. In 1976, he also played the part of Che Guevara on the originalconcept album of the musical Evita.From there, he furthered his international stature by taking on the role ofBarach, the Shylock character in the London production of Fire Angel, themusical rendition of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. Hisperformance was so impressive that Great Britain’s National Theatre invitedWilkinson to join as an actor.In 1977, Wilkinson’s phenomenal talent was revealed when his self-titledL.P. shot to number 1 in the Irish charts and stayed there for eight weeks.His composition, There Was a Dream, went on to become a chart toppinghit in Ireland. With intense focus on composing, Wilkinson competed innumerous song contests, achieving great success. Having tested the watersof stage musicals, cabaret, records, radio, and television, Colm Wilkinsonspread his talents as singer and composer to viewers in over twentycountries worldwide when he represented Ireland in the Eurovision SongContest in Paris in 1978 with Born to Sing.The early eighties recognized Wilkinson as one of the finest singers of pop-ular song. However, Colm craved the part that would test his abilities asboth singer and actor. Wilkinson went on to achieve international famewhen he created the role of Jean Valjean in the hit musical, Les Misérables.He instinctively knew that this was the role he’d been waiting for. “I knewthat I was a part of something very special,” explains Wilkinson.Wilkinson also created the role of The Phantom in the workshop of ThePhantom of the Opera in Sydmonton. After finishing in Les Misérables, hethen went on to star in the Toronto production of The Phantom of the Operafor four and a half years, giving 1,653 performances and earning nightlystanding ovations from more than 3.5 million theatre-goers. Wilkinson

earned the DoraMavor Moore awardfor his portrayal of thePhantom in 1989-90.He also received theDora award for therole of Valjean in1998-99 in Toronto.

Interview with Colm WilkinsonBy John Michael Murphy

Between musicals, solo albums, compilations and singles,Wilkinson has appeared on over 60 titles, including StageHeroes (BMG), a solo album, where he performed with theLondon Philharmonic Orchestra and recorded at the historicAbbey Road Studios in London, England, as well as thecelebrated Highlight album of the Broadway hit Jekyll andHyde (BMG). Colm also recording another solo albumentitled Some of My Best Friends Are Songs, a selection ofsome of his favourite songs of all time. It includes threeself-penned compositions and a duet performed with hisown son, Aaron, on Cat Stevens', Father and Son and morerecently Colm Wilkinson Broadway & Beyond whichincludes many musical classics and a few more of Colm'sfavourite songs like, House Of The Rising Sun, Hallelujahand Whiskey In The Jar.He has recently appeared on our TV stations over here asLord Darcey in The Tudors. A role in which he relished “Itwas a challenge and so much fun to do that series. I alwaysrelied on the music to help me but this was me out on myown.” And boy did he impress.I was recently granted an exclusive interview with Colmand this is what the international star of stage and screenhad to say:

Music seemed to play an important part in your life,growing up. Your father played banjo and piano andalso sang and I believe your mother was involved inamateur dramatics. Were you ever involved in any ofthese shows when growing up?

No, I never performed with them, they got married and thatwas the end of most of that for them. My mother was fromCrossmolina, Co. Mayo, and she was involved in the localstuff from around there and she played violin a little. Shealso sang, she was a great singer. My dad was a great singerto and he played the banjo a lot but I was never involved inanything with them, but there was always singing in ourhouse. There were ten kids and so everyone had their partypiece, if there was a gathering or a Ceile.

A lot of people already knew you as a singer but in 1972you auditioned for the Dublin production of JesusChrist Superstar. What made you want to do the changeover to musical theatre?

Well I didn’t actually motivate that at all. It was actuallyJim McCann, who was going to play Peter, and CarlO’Doherty, was going to play Pilate. And Noel Peircen waslooking for someone to play Judas, and they said “you wantto hear this guy, Colm Wilkinson, who we think would begreat as Judas. So Noel came out to a hotel out in Malahideto the hotel that I was working in, there he heard me doinga cabaret and he offered me the gig as Judas.

You succeeded in getting the role of Judas in the show.For your first big musical, what was going through yourmind stepping out on the first night?

I felt absolutely terrified because it was a pretty complexpart and a pretty demanding part. I was actually in thedressing room throwing up before I went on. Luke Kellywas in the show, playing King Herod, and Luke waslooking after me, my minder. Luke was such a wonderfulguy, not the brash guy a lot of the public knew. He actuallyguided me on to the stage, and took me onto the side of thestage and nudge me on for my entrance because I was justso terrified.

You have had a lot of firsts in your career. You were thefirst Val Jean in Les Miserables, first Che in the conceptalbum of Evita, and you were the first to don thePhantoms mask, and perform Music of the Night. BothPhantom and Les Miserables have two distinctive songsthat were hits, and in most peoples eyes consider yourversions the definitive ones. Tell us how you first feltwhen you heard these songs and did you think theywould play such an important part in your career?

It’s funny how that happened. I contracted myself to do LesMiserables and then went down to Andrew Lloyd Webbershouse to do the work shop for Phantom, where they askedme to play the Phantom in the workshop. Andrew had thefirst act of the show written and he wanted to present it tobackers to see if they would be interested in financing itfurther. While I was down there he asked me to play thepart of the Phantom for the show, but I said “you better askCameron Mackintosh because I am already contracted toLes Miserables.” So we did the first act in the convertedchurch in the grounds of Andrews house and on the wayback to London, I was driving back with Cameron, he said“I know Andrew asked you about doing the Phantom, but Ican’t let you out of the Les Miserables musical but if LesMiserables doesn’t work you can do the Phantom.” Thosewere his words which actually seem a bit strange given themagnitude of both of them. But I went on to do Les

Interview with Colm Wilkinson

Miserables and then did Phantom later on in Toronto,Canada, for 4 and a half years. But Bring Him Home wasactually written for me, so that’s always nice to have that,and I also remember singing Music of the Night for the firsttime. It was very moving actually and I was actually intears singing it.

You recently made an appearance on TV in TheTudors. Tell us what that was like for you?

It was very interesting actually for me. That was the firsttime I did anything of that scope, I mean I have appeared ina few small little character parts but nothing like this. Iplayed Lord Darcy, and English lord, and to actually try toassume that character and put in the costume and I couldn’tdo the north of England accent so I just adopted this grandaccent. It was quiet and experience to work with thosepeople, and it was all done in Dublin, which was great. Tobe asked to do that was a huge experience for me, to get towork with guys like I did these fabulous actors. The bigthing for me was actually not singing, because I got theusual comments, I didn’t know there was singing in theTudors, when they saw me around. I said “I’m not singing,I’m just speaking, just acting here.” It was a great challengeto actually do that and try and make that work because Iwas always relying on the music to get the emotion of thepiece. But I loved the work

Would you like to do more television work?

Well I would love to get an offer, if someone came up tome with something I would love to look at it. I’m actuallyinvolved with a possible film called The Island, based onthe Blasket Islands, and they want me to play the main part.It’s about a guy returning home from America to bury hissister. So I really hope this happens.

We recently saw you perform at the Les Miserables 25thAnniversary Concert at the O2. How does it feel now,after you been there at the start, to have this chance togo back on stage and say to those critics who said itwouldn’t last a week that here the show is 25 years onand after sweeping the world?

Well I did it when I went back to do the 10th anniversary Idid say “I would like to remind the critics what they said.”They didn’t slate anyone in person; they just said themusical wasn’t going to work. They also didn’t like the factthat Cameron Mackintosh was actually financially andcommercially involved with the Royal ShakespeareCompany, who did the original production. So I was a

member of the RSC while I was working on the first show.But I have given up on the critics as a lot of them have goneback, but Sheridan Morley was the only one that said thisshow was a masterpiece, while the others were very wishywashy but there you go, the people voted with their feet.

A short while ago I had the honour of working withan old colleague of yours, Peter Karrie from Wales.One of my favourite parts of his shows waslistening to him telling stories about when the showwent wrong and he had to continue. Have you anyfunny memories from a show where it went wrongand had to carry on?

I remember him playing tricks on us actually. It wason a show called Fire Angle, which didn’t last to long.The show was based on The Merchant of Venice and Iwas playing Barach, a Shylock type character. I had toreach into a drawer to take out a quill but insteadpulled out a dead mouse. I could go on for ages aboutwhen things go wrong on stage like in Jesus ChristSuperstar when crosses don’t go down on time andJesus is left sitting there unable to move. Or in oneparticular production of Superstar the performers playingJesus and Mary were having a fling and they wereobviously up to something back stage and when Jesuswalked on stage he was covered in lips stick for the lastsupper. Or in Les Miserables what happened a lot was youwere supposed to be hiding behind furniture or thebarricades and they would get stuck and so you would haveto go on stage and pretend to be hiding behind somethingand the other guy able to see you clear as day and try todeliver the scene, never knowing if this thing was going totrundle on in a minute and kill you on the spot.

Tell us a little about your new album, Colm WilkinsonBroadway & Beyond?

It’s basically a mix of good songs. Obviously there isMusic of the Night, Bring Him Home as well as TennesseeWaltz, Country Roads, Hallelujah and House of Rising Sunand more. It’s a big mix of stuff that I have done.

Colm Wilkinson Broadway and Beyond is available to buyfrom www.comwilkinson.com

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Live at O229/11/2012

www.ticketmaster.ie

Top Shows Top shows to see thisJanuary from around the

CountryWexfordWexford Pantomime Society, Dun Mhuire Theatre, 10th-15th JanThe biggest pantomime in the South East of Ireland gets underway. Join Peter Pan, the boy whonever grew up, and his faithful gang of Lost Boys as they battle against the evil Captain Hookand his villainous pirate chums in the ultimate battle for Neverland.This January, the Dun Mhuire Theatre will be awash with beautiful fairies, fishy mermaids,proud Indians and mischievous pirates as Wexford Pantomime Society presents this all singing,all dancing, all sword fighting AND ALL FLYING production to whisk your little fairies and lostboys away on the adventure of a lifetime!

Tickets available from Box Office, 053 9123061

Extreme Rhythm - Primal, Wexford Opera House, 7th JanPRIMAL – The Show – explores how Rhythm is part of our very being. Rhythm is universal ..in a world divided by borders, currencies, laws and religions, it is a part of us which can neverbe tainted by external, social or political factors. Everything we do has a rhythm of its own …Our Heartbeat; Our Breath; Hunger; Sleep … are the RHYTHMS of our very being.

The Show fuses rhythms and sounds from all over the world into a rhythmic and musicaljourney, using narratives and strong visual stimuli, to create a two hour ‘journey’ for theaudience.

Tickets available from Box Office, 053 9123061, www.wexfordoperahouse.ie

The fabulous new show by the Chicago Jazz Queen, Karen Underwood and her band. Karen andher live band bring to you in narration and song the engrossing life story of the great legend NinaSimone, from her struggle against racism and exile from her homeland to her flamboyant andtroubled relationships and her poignant later years.

Tickets available from Box Office, 053 9123764, www.wexfordartscentre.ie

Singing Nina - Nina Simone Tribute, Wexford Arts Centre, 21st Jan

Big Maggie, Town Hall Theatre, Galway, 24th-28th Jan

GalwayA riveting story of money, land and secret sex.Aisling O’Sullivan (Raw, The Clinic), John Olohan (The Tudors and Druid’s The Silver Tassie)and Keith Duffy (Coronation Street, Boyzone) lead a cast of eleven of Ireland’s finest actors inthis much loved play by John B. Keane, complete with caustic wit and scandalous honesty.On the day of her husband’s funeral, Maggie Polpin (Aisling O’Sullivan), widowed mother offour, is now ready to take power into her own hands… but at what cost?On tour to ten Irish venues, Druid’s Big Maggie promises to be one of the hottest tickets intheatre this year – if you do one thing this autumn, don’t miss this!

Tickets available from Box Office, 091-569777, www.tht.ie

CorkThe Plaza Suite, Cork Opera House, Cork, 24th-25th JanRough Magic Theatre Company makes a welcome return to Cork with a superb cast in thisstylish comedy by Neil Simon – one of America’s most popular dramatists and author of classicssuch as The Odd Couple and Brighton Beach Memoirs. One of Simon’s most popular andcelebrated plays, Plaza Suite details the misadventures of three very different couples facingcrucial moments in their respective lives, all set in the same room in New York’s world famousPlaza Hotel. Plaza Suite showcases Simon at his best - witty, sophisticated and deliciously funny.

Tickets available from Box Office, 021 - 427 0022, www.corkoperahouse.ie

DublinThe Government Inspector, The Abbey Theatre, present -28th JanThe Mayor, the Judge, the Chief of Police and a host of the crooked characters are in an awfultailspin as a visit from a government inspector looms large on their town. It’s all brown enve-lopes and bribes as this befuddled group frantically try to keep the show on the road at all costs.But could a case of mistaken identity sabotage their efforts?Jimmy Fay directs a colourful cast in a new version of this magnificent Gogol satire. Enjoy anight of hilarity this Christmas at the Abbey Theatre, as Roddy Doyle takes his signature wit toNikolai Gogol’s The Government Inspector.

Tickets available from Box Office 01 8787222, www.abbeytheatre.ie

Little Women, The Gate Theatre, Dublin, present -14th JanLittle Women is a much-loved and timeless classic that will warm audience hearts as it followsthe adventures of four young sisters - Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March.

Guided by their mother ‘Marmee’, while their father is away serving in the Civil War, the girlsstruggle, but manage, to get through the difficult times. As the sisters grow up, Little Womentells the tale of family, love, individuality, and finding a place in the world.

Tickets available from Box Office 01 874 4045 , www.gatetheatre.ie

Dirty Dancing The Musical, The Grand Canal Theatre, 17th Jan - 25th Feb The Record Breaking smash hit musical, sets pulses racing with the announcement of the firstever UK & Irish tour!

The producers of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage, one of the most successful hit mu-sicals in West End history, are delighted to announce the launch of the first ever UK & Irish tour,coming to Dublin in 2012.

Tickets available from 0818 719 377, www.ticketmaster.ie

Grand Canal Theatre10th-21st of AprilTickets from www.ticketmaster.ie