The Market Place Theatre in Armagh is the place to be this summer as it launches its June to August programme crammed full of light-hearted comedy and drama, chilled out musical performances, entertainment for the little ones, and not to mention the now annual John Hewitt Summer School.
Here’s just an outline of what you can look forward to during those long summer evenings.
A host of local talent will take to the stage in June with performances from the children of Alderson Ballet Theatre with their spectacular ‘Wolf And Other Works’.
The students from St Patrick’s Primary School, Armagh will perform a superb evening of musical entertainment at their ‘Rhythm And Harmony’ show.
DFK Performing Arts are back with ‘Into The Wild’, and Stage Stars Theatre Group will perform songs from the best musicals in ‘Showtime’.
The summer will also see a host of creative opportunities with superb hands-on workshops in Weaving, Carrickmacross Lace Making, Willow Basket Weaving and Encaustic Cards, all led by expert tutors, allowing you to learn a superb new skill in a relaxed and fun environment.
For the kids, ‘Red Riding Hood’s Magic Purse’ will take place on 25 August. A classic story told with a difference, you’ll meet an adventurous Red Riding Hood, an independent Granny, and of course, the wonderful Wicked Wolf, who is so hungry, he could eat almost anything!
There’ll be laughs aplenty with some fantastic stand-up comedy and comedy drama. Micky Bartlett is back on 23 June. Micky never got into trouble at school until one fateful day in 2002, and then he nailed it!
Former Sandwich Artiste, unofficial Air Marshall and graduate of the school of Soft Knocks, Micky hates millennials, even though he’s just googled “millennials” and it turns out that he is one.
The craic continues with ‘Sink Or Slim’. Belvoir Players proudly present this hilarious Ulster comedy by Sam Cree, set in the 1960’s on a Health Farm run by the owner Mrs Babbington.
She is a formidable lady who rules with a rod of iron and feeds her pet poodle better than her paying guests! We meet the Major, Millie the dippy maid, Willie the handyman who supplies guests with whatever contraband they are willing to pay for and a Swedish Masseuse called Hildie who’s determined to help everyone lose weight and get fit!
In August, we’ll all get a chance to spend ‘A Night With George’ in the company of Brassneck Theatre Company. Not every woman gets to spend the night with George Clooney… but Bridie Murphy does! Over the course of one night, Bridie takes George on the journey of her life; from the terrible lows to the hilarious highs and charts the course to her unlikely future.
August will see the return of The 7 Hills Blues Festival with performances by The Don Baker and Rob Strong Band. Two of Ireland’s best ever blues/soul musicians, Don Baker and Rob Strong have collaborated to record a brand new album and tour many of Ireland’s finest venues in 2018.
Already the band have sold out their first three concerts in Dublin.
‘Imagine’ is an interactive afternoon of music with Northern Ireland Opera that will allow your children explore their ideas about a new world with mysterious creatures, magical landscapes and exotic sounds.
Through music, art and craft, your child will go on a journey of playful engagement with themes of identity, discovery and fantasy, led by the singers of the Northern Ireland Opera Studio, who will perform music from a variety of fairy tale operas and other operatic works for children.
For details of all events can be found online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre and tickets for can be booked by contacting the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821.
And to keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.
