Everyman on song with diverse Spring programme

Opera will be to the fore in the list of top-class entertainment by the Everyman after the Cork theatre unveiled its spring and early summer schedule.

Booking has just opened for the most anticipated opera production of 2015 as The Everyman and Cork Operatic Society join forces, once again, to present a new and daring production of Gounod’s Faust, starring Cara O’Sullivan.

Matched or Everyman’s Guide to Campaigns of the Heart opens the season and it is a hugely entertaining comedy designed to take the sting out of the mid-January slump. The theatre also welcomes the first-ever Irish production of Martin McDonagh’s extraordinary play The Pillowman.

Things also take a turn into the gothic with Henry James’s The Turn Of The Screw over Easter and the theme of home-grown hilarity continues with the return of God Bless The Child, adapted from the writings of Cork’s own Frank O’Connor.

For younger audiences who were thrilled by the spectacle of the record-breaking pantomime Cinderella, Julie Kelleher, artistic director of The Everyman, says she has loads of gems in store.

“We have some must-see shows on the way for small people and grown-ups alike.

Theatre Lovett return with one of our favourite-ever family shows The Girl Who Forgot To Sing Badly later this month and Dr Seuss fans can see the storybook pages come to life as we welcome the UK National Theatre production of The Cat in the Hat.

Perennial favourite Des Bishop is back again having performed to packed houses last time and the comedy roster for the new season also includes Bernard O’Shea, PJ Gallagher and Live, Love, Laugh from West Cork-based Eilish O’Carroll of Mrs Brown’s Boys fame.

Showband legend Brendan Bowyer is back in town this month and The Everyman Sunday Songbook returns in April with a feast of favourites to sing along to.

The best of touring theatre to make you laugh, cry and everything in between, can all be found at the Everyman from the provocative Heroin by THEATREclub to the awardwinning Beowulf The Blockbuster; Carmel Winter’s challenging Witness to Peter Gowen’s moving The Chronicles of Oggle.

Full details are at www.everymancork.com