Punters snap up early-bird tickets

PUNTERS are flocking back to Cork Opera House after its summer closure, thanks in part to a new early-bird ticket deal.

As shareholders attended the 51st AGM upstairs in the historic theatre yesterday, a queue stretched from the box office and out the front door for tickets.

The queues have been constant since the theatre’s autumn/winter programme was announced on Wednesday.

A new early-bird €15 ticket deal was particularly welcomed by some of those in the queue.

One woman said she was buying tickets for Fame The Musical, her friend was buying tickets for the Showband Nostalgia show on Sunday night, while another woman said she wanted to buy tickets for Gift Grub.

“It was a pity the Opera House had to close for the summer, but I suppose in the current conditions, it was something they had to do,” one woman said.

Opera House shareholder Harold Johnson, 85, travelled from Carrigaline for the AGM. A board member since the Opera House fire in 1955 and board chairman from 1988 to 1992, said the fact that people are queuing again is a very positive sign.

“I came up here today expecting doom and gloom, but I think this gives us all confidence. I would like to congratulate the board for the steps they have taken,” he said.