Saudi Arabia says construction will soon begin on the first opera house in the kingdom, where concerts have been banned for two decades, along with music in restaurants and stores.

Looks like a savage night of entertainment!

Cork Opera House is to get a grant of €170,000 from Cork County Council despite objections from some councillors who felt it should not receive any more handouts as it is in profit.

The board of Cork Opera House has launched a major process to trace the company’s “missing” shareholders and buy back their shares as part of a tidy-up of corporate governance issues.

Cork Opera House has recorded its third profitable year in a row and has never been in a “stronger and more sustainable financial position”, its AGM was told yesterday.

GIG WISE: The countdown has begun for Live at the Marquee in Cork, with young whippersnapper Cliff Richard kicking it all off on Monday, June 9, followed by the equally youthful Dolly Parton (June 12).

Cork Opera House had to be evacuated and a concert cancelled last night after a bomb hoax.

Cork Opera House’s spring line-up of events kicks off on Sunday with a concert in honour of Luke Kelly.