WHAT’S ON ataglance
THE NUTCRACKER Gorey Cinema, December 8, 7.15 p.m.
A live performance of a Royal Ballet production of the all-time favourite The Nutcracker will be screened at Gorey Cinema on Thursday. It is Christmas Eve and Drosselmeyer the magician sweeps young Clara away on a fantasy adventure in which time is suspended. The living room becomes a great battlefield and a magical journey takes them through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets. Tchaikovsky’s glittering score along with festive stage designs and the Royal Ballet’s captivating dancing, including a pas de deux between the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince make for a special Christmas experience.
NEW PLAY ‘LOCOMOTIVE’ National Opera House, Thursday to Saturday, December 1 to 3, 8 p.m.
Locomotive, a new play by the award-winning Wexford playwright Eoghan Rua Finn will be staged in the Jerome Hynes Theatre at the National Opera House from Thursday to Saturday. The play is a spellbinding mix of dark comedy, mystery and gut punching drama that tells the story of Pope, a city-dwelling loner whose new apartment won’t let him sleep. The phone keeps ringing, a neighbour makes his skin crawl and a window will never close. When a phone engineer arrives, they try to discover who it is that won’t stop calling.
THE JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW National Opera House, January 14
Tickets have gone on sale for the Johnny Cash Roadshow which will reach the National Opera House in Wexford on January 14 next. The spirit of the Man in Black is alive and kicking in this acclaimed celebration of the iconic music legend. Clive John captures the essence of Cash with an uncanny resemblance coupled with style and confidence. His deep, distinctive vocals are spot on, evoking pure country magic with songs such as Walk the Line, Folsom Prison Blues and A Thing Called Love. It’s the only show to be endorsed by the Cash and Carter families.
FILM ON ENDANGERED SPECIES
Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy, Friday, November 25 A film that focuses on endangered species and the race to protect them will be screened in the Presentation Centre on Friday. Directed by Oscar-winning director Louie Psihoyos, ‘Racing Extinction’ assembles a team of artists and activists on an undercover operation to expose the black market trade that involves some of the world’s most threatened species. They also take a look into carbon emissions and their link with the rapid decline of many animals around the globe. The free screening will begin at 7 p.m.
SINGING WORKSHOPS Wexford Arts Centre, Mondays
Everyone is welcome to join a series of free community singing workshops which started in Wexford Arts Centre last night (Monday) and will continue every Monday until December 12 from 7.30 p.m. to 9 p.m. each night. Participants will be given tips on how to use their voices well and sing in harmony. The workshops are led by Elizabeth Drwal, an experienced singing teacher and facilitator. The group will peform in a ‘Big Christmas sing’ concert for family and friends on Sunday, December 18 at 3 p.m.
DEFENCE FORCES CONCERT National Opera House, Friday, November 25, 8 p.m.
Direct from a sell-out performance in the National Concert Hall, the Band of the Defence Forces joins forces with the Pipes and Drums and special guest soprano Deirdre Masterson for an evening of band favourites and popular songs and arias. The concert will be conducted by the Director of the Defence Forces Ltd. Col Mark Armstrong. The proceeds will be donated to Wexford Hospice Homecare and the Defence Forces Benevolent Fund.