7 Things to do this week...
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FERNS PANTO: Ferns Dramatic Society will be staging its production of ‘Robin Hood’ in the local community centre this coming weekend. The show will take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, January 23, 24 and 25. The fun will begin at 8 p.m. each night and it promises to be a great night out for all the family. While the story of Robin Hood is a familiar one to people of all ages this show is based around a brilliant script by Thomas O’Leary. It will take the audience on a magical journey full of humour and with numerous twists and turns along the way. The cast and crew have been putting in a lot of hard work over the last few months preparing for the show and everyone involved has endeavoured to make sure it will be a very enjoyable night out. From the stage set to the wonderful, colourful costumes, it will be a real treat for the audience. Interest in the show is high within the local community and to avoid disappointment people are advised to book their tickets early. Tickets are priced €12 (adult) and €5 (children and students). To book tickets contact 087 7179509 between 6 and 9 p.m.
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In The National Opera House on Friday, January 24, Music Network present Anxo Lorenzo, Dónal O’Connor, Jack Talty and Jim Murray. Over the past ten years the four musicians have been at the forefront of highly creative Galician and Irish music-making – as players, composers, arrangers, accompanists, producers and record label owners. They have initiated hundreds of thoughtful and innovative projects, and the setlist on this tour will include a Music Network commission from all four performers, their virtuosity and profound understanding of the music underpinning any daring off-piste exploration they might undertake. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets €17.
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CRAANFORD VINTAGE RUN: Start your engines as the road is set for the annual Craanford Vintage Run in aid of North Wexford Hospice Homecare. Activities on the day will begin at 12.30 p.m. and it promises to be fun for all the family. In its fourteenth year, the annual Markie Doyle Memorial event has raised thousands for charity and always sees vintage tractors, cars and trucks come out in force for the very special day. All are welcome.
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LAUGHTER LOUNGE: A night of comedy lies in store on Saturday, January 25, in St Michael’s Theatre, New Ross. The Laughter Lounge opened its doors in Dublin in December 1997. Over the years 4,000 comedians have performed to an audience of over 1 million. The format will be two 45 minutes stand up show with a 15 minute interval featuring Eric Lalor, John Colleary and Gar Murran. Tickets can be bought at St Michael Theatre or online.
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GERMAN BOMBERS TALK: A history talk called `German Bombers on the Blackstairs’ with Barry Lacey takes place at New Ross Library on Tuesday at 7 p.m. During World War 2, Ireland was recovering from its own independence struggle and bloody Civil War. While it remained neutral during the war, this didn’t make Ireland invincible to the actions of war. Even the remote Blackstairs Mountains experienced the effects which this. The talk will be of particularly interest to any mountain walkers. Booking is on 051 421877.
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Jeffrey Foucault, along with guests Billy Conway and Ry Cavanaugh, comes to the Wexford Arts Centre on Saturday, January 25 at €15. In two decades on the road Jeffrey Foucault has become one of the most distinctive voices in American music, refining a sound instantly recognizable for its simplicity and emotional power. He’s built an international touring career with multiple studio albums and general critical acclaim, lauded for “Stark, literate songs that are as wide open as the landscape of his native Midwest” (The New Yorker), and described as “Quietly brilliant” (Irish Times).
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Bridge Drama return to the National Opera House with their latest production Men Should Weep, on January 29, 30 and 31. The plays is set in 1930’s Glasgow where Maggie Morrison (Deirdre McCarthy) struggles with determination and humour to hold her family together. Her husband John (Adrian Power)is unemployed and her rebellious daughter (Róisín Tobin) is threatening to leave home. Meanwhile her lay-about son and snooty daughter-in-law return to live in the flat and there’s also the rest of the kids and Granny (Mary O’Connor) to deal with. One of Scotland’s best loved plays, Men Should Weep has rarely been seen in Ireland. Directed by Trish Doyle, it is Bridge Drama’s festival circuit entry.