Thursday 6th - Saturday 8th June at 8.00pm

The Wild Ensemble presents

Clocked

by Neil Flynn

After a sell-out run at The Cork Arts Theatre with 'A Clockwork Orange' by Anthony Burgess (2010) as well as producing the award-winning 'Fade to Black' by Mark Evans (2011) and the acclaimed 'A Rustle of Wings' by Linda Eisenstein (2012) The Wild Ensemble is returns with 'Clocked' - a psychological thriller by Neil Flyn. The production is directed by John Hayes, as were all of the above..

'Clocked' is a menacing, enigmatic thriller which was first seen at The Warehouse Theatre in London in 2008.This is the Irish premiere of the production.It is the story of three very different men and how one event affects their lives.This drama unfolds like a dark puzzle of human behaviour and motivations and is unafraid to pose difficult questions to the audience.

Starring award-winning actor Eugene McCarthy as Quinn, Ethan Dillon as Ray and John Hayes as Moore, CLOCKED is an unsettling and highly original drama from a visionary Irish writer.

All Tickets: €10

Wednesday 12th - Saturday 15th June at 8.00pm

Cork Shakespearean Company presents

As You Like It

by William Shakespeare

Rosalind, the daughter of Duke Senior (the banished duke), is raised at the court of Duke Frederick (who is younger brother to Duke Senior and took over his dukedom), with her cousin Celia (daughter to Duke Frederick). She falls in love with a young man named Orlando, but before she can even think twice about it, she is banished by Duke Frederick, who threatens death if she comes near the court again.

Celia, being Rosalind's best friend, goes with Rosalind (who is disguised as a boy, Ganymede) and Touchstone, the court's fool, to the forest of Arden. Upon their arrival in the forest, they happen upon Orlando and his manservant, who are fleeing the wrath of Orlando's eldest brother.

What follows is an elaborate scheme devised by the cross-dressing Rosalind to find out the verity of Orlando's supposed passion for her, and to further capture his heart, through the witty and mischievous façade of Ganymede.

Tickets: Opening night - Wednesday 12th June - All tickets only €10,
Thurs. 13th - Sat. 15th June - €12, €10 concessions

Friday 21st - Tuesday 25th June (see performance times below)

Cork Midsummer Festival presents

The Tale of the Ancient LIghts

by Riuchi

The Tale of the Ancient Lights tells a poignant story of magic and beauty that touches the innocent spirit in all of us.

In this compelling solo spectacle, suitable for all the family, performer Riuchi rewrites contemporary circus by combining juggling, dance and magic, inspired by his Asian identity and martial arts. He draws the audience into an imaginary realm where the child-like spirit believes in endless possibilities.

Riuchi grew up nourished by Japanese animation and dreamt of jumping high while launching fire balls. The show is directed by Fernando Tunon Hernandez who works in film and theatre and also shares a passion for Asian art.

Cork Midsummer Festival Director, Tom Creed, says:
You might have caught a glimpse of Riuchi’s remarkable theatre of skill and illusion as part of last year’s Festival Nights at the TDC, which would surely have whet your appetite to see the full length version this year. It’s a colourful and dynamic new circus performance for the whole family, from a rising star of Cork theatre.

Supported by an Arts Council Circus Project Award.

Tickets must be booked from Cork Midsummer Festival:

By phone: +353 (0)21 421 5131
Online at: www.corkmidsummer.com
Festival Box Office at Triskel Arts Centre, Tobin Street (open June 4th)

Tickets: Regular Price €15; Family Ticket €45; Concession €12
Duration: 45 mins
Times: Friday, Monday, Tuesday - 8pm
Saturday and Sunday - 2pm and 8pm

Friday 28th - Sunday 30th June (see performance times below)

Cork Midsummer Festival presents

Exit Strategy

developed by Makeshift Ensemble

Quitting seems to be the thing of the present: companies liquidate or pull out of countries, countries threaten to pull out of Europe and people are pulling out of countries, relationships, bad habits and reality.

In their new production Makeshift Ensemble explores their conflicting feelings about sinking ships, national anthems, game theory, career development, patriotism, investment banking and escapism. Exit Strategy is a show about the strategies we follow to quit – a new documentary theatre piece about investments and happiness, and an exploration of the corporate notion of an exit strategy – that leaves you questioning the world we live in.

Makeshift Ensemble was established in 2010 from the young cast and crew of F*** My Life, a co-production of Cork Midsummer Festival and Campo. Since becoming a company in their own right their focus has been on creating theatre that is cool, accessible and maybe a bit different.

Cork Midsummer Festival Director, Tom Creed, says:
Should we stay or should we go? Part theatre, part gameshow, this is a thought-provoking new performance by one of Cork’s newest and most exciting young theatre companies.

Developed at Make, a residential workshop facilitated by Cork Midsummer Festival, Dublin Fringe Festival, Project Arts Centre and Theatre Forum.

Tickets must be booked from Cork Midsummer Festival:

By phone: +353 (0)21 421 5131
Online at: www.corkmidsummer.com
Festival Box Office at Triskel Arts Centre, Tobin Street (open June 4th)

Tickets: Regular Price €15; Concession €12
Duration: 1hr 30mins, no interval
Times: Fri 28th - 6pm; Sat 29th - 1pm, 8pm
Sun 30th - 2pm

Monday 1st - Saturday 6th July at 8.00pm

ORION PRODUCTIONS in association with BLUE MOON THEATRE COMPANY
presents an IRISH PREMIERE of

The Woolgatherer

by William Mastrosimone

5 stars - Entertainment.ie

5 stars - Sunday Times

Hot on the heels of widespread critical acclaim, ORion productions in association with Blue Moon Theatre Company presents the opportunity to see the remarkable Irish Premiere of 'The Woolgatherer' by Emmy Award-winning author William Mastrosimone.

Hailed by the Sunday Times as "triumphant theatre" and by Entertainment.ie as “mesmerising” which also goes onto say "both O’Riordan and Hough delivered performances that were raw, captivating and poignantly honest.This theatrical highlight which has just had a two week sell out success is now back and touring!

Eithne Shortall, The Sunday Times, wrote, "There is a lot about this production that could have gone wrong: a play never before performed in Ireland, a small theatre company, American accents. Yet Blue Moon’s finished product is one of those inspiring instances in which small theatre rivals the big players for quality and excitement. William Mastrosimone’s two-hander was a great find. Rose is a woman damaged by experiences in her youth and now trying to live a “nice” life. She doesn’t drink, curse, or make fun of situations. She invites Cliff back to her studio apartment, but her intentions are purer than those of the heavy-set trucker. There is compelling interplay between the considered and quietly complex characters. Both Sinéad O’Riordan and Michael Hough give knockout performances."

SYNOPSIS

Set in South Philadelphia, this award-winning "dram-edy" centers around Rose and Cliff, two neurotic people searching for love. It is truly a hysterical play in both the crazy and funny sense of the word.

In her dingy apartment with boarded-up windows Rose is a dumpy mess of shut-off emotional valves, topped by a psychosomatic rash, the very picture of total anemia and terminal humourlessness. She works at a five-and-dime behind the candy counter. She dreams of true love and how she'll meet a man one day who is perfect for her, a guy "with a smile you can hang onto."

Cliff is a foul-mouthed, wise-cracking transcontinental truck driver who gets stuck in Philadelphia when his truck breaks down.Cliff is the most exotic guy Rose has happened upon -a constant traveller, while Rose has been, as he says, "cooped up too long." And to Cliff, Rose is a homebody who could well be the perfect anchor for his lifelong drift.

Sinéad O' Riordan, who has just completed a national tour of another two hander, David Mamet's 'Oleanna' with Company D, plays the dreamy Rose.

Michael Hough, whose recent screen roles include 'Albert Knobbs', 'Grabbers' and the TV series 'Mattie', plays the brash Cliff.

Produced by Sinéad O' Riordan (ORion Productions) and directed by
David Byrne, Artistic Director of Blue Moon Theatre Company,
and founder of Underground Cinema.

www.bluemoontheatrecompany.com

Tickets: €15, €12 conc.; Groups of 10 or more €10

Wednesday 10th - Saturday 27th July at 8.00pm

(except Sundays and Mondays)

Cork Arts Theatre Repertory Company presents

Moll

by John B. Keane

A delightful comedy by Ireland’s premier storyteller ‘Moll’ is a hilarious look at life in a rural Irish parochial house.

The play is set behind the doors of a presbytery in the 1970’s and follows the exploits of the resourceful priest’s housekeeper. Moll is a dedicated but single-minded woman. Indeed, at times, she wields more power than the Canon and has a definite agenda of her own that includes the introduction of bingo, a strict regime for the curates in her care and, perhaps, a little something for herself into the bargain!

With Fionula Linehan in the title role, the cast also includes Trevor Ryan,
Eoin Hally, and Laura Harte. Directed by James Horgan.

Tickets: 10th - 13th July all tickets only €10,
16th - 27th July €15, €12 concessions, €10 groups of 10 or more.

Tuesday 20th - Saturday 24th August at 8.00pm

Daybreaker Theatre Company in association with Cork Arts Theatre presents

The Breakfast Club

A stage adaptation of the 1980's cult movie

The debut production by Daybreaker Theatre Company.
Adapted and directed by Eoghan Moloney
(By kind permission of Universal Pictures).

Five students — "Criminal" John Bender , "Athlete" Andrew Clark, "Brain" Brian Johnson, "Basket Case" Allison Reynolds , and "Princess" Claire Standish — report for Saturday morning detention on March 24, 1984 at Shermer High School in the Chicago suburb of Shermer, Illinois.

While not complete strangers, each of them comes from a different clique, and they seem to have nothing in common. They gather in the high school library, where they are ordered not to speak or move from their seats or sleep by the assistant principal, Richard Vernon. Watch the students bide their time and make friends... and enemies. And let what should be just another Saturday, unfold.

Tickets: Opening night - Tuesday 20th August - All tickets only €10,
Weds. 21st - Sat. 24th August - €15, €12 concessions, €10 groups of 6 or more.

Tuesday 27th - Saturday 31st August at 8.00pm

Louise Barry presents

Dog Sees God - Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead

by Bert V. Royal

What would happen if the PEANUTS gang grew up?

Our beloved comic strip characters are re-imagined a decade later as hormonal teenagers with serious issues. CB's beloved dog has died, causing him to question the existence of an afterlife. But a chance meeting with the artistic kid -- the target of bullying -- offers CB peace of mind and sets in motion a friendship that will push teen angst to the very limits.

Drug use, suicide, eating disorders, teen violence, rebellion and sexual identity collide and careen toward an ending that's both haunting and hopeful, while posing the question - do we really want to grow up?

Tickets: €12, €10 concessions