Three of Ireland's most talented and sought after musicians provide a feast of traditional music this Saturday evening, 5th May, in Ardhowen Theatre's Gallery Bar starting at 9.00pm. Arty McGlynn is one of the finest musicians in Ireland today and has played with a who's who of bands and musicians including Liam O'Flynn, Donal Lunny, Planxty and the Van Morrison band. Joining Arty on stage are the excellent Padraig Rynne and John McSherry. Padraig Rynne is widely regarded as the finest concertina player in Irish music today, while John McSherry is regarded as Ireland's finest piper, taking piping and whistle playing to new heights. A superb evening of traditional playing is promised but don't delay in booking, as seating in the Gallery Bar is limited.
On Thursday May 10th at 8.00pm, from the makers of the popular 'Country Legends' shows comes the return tour 'The Kings and Queens of Country' which is on a nationwide theatre tour following the success of last year's shows. The show is narrated by Wes Picket who is a well-known face throughout Ireland on the country music scene; he hosts the show giving a brief account of each of the featured artists.
The four fantastic vocalists are popular Cookstown musicians Brendan McGarrity who has a wealth of experience as a drummer working with country greats like Crystal Gayle, Don Williams and Charlie Pride. He was also the session drummer on the Kelly Show for a number of years; he will leave his drum-kit to sing an array of songs from his favourite country icons. Banbridge singer Bonnie Stewart has been a household name on the circuit, with over 12 years to her credit. She has released numerous albums and videos and can be seen performing at the largest Country festivals on a regular basis; she will sing the songs of Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline amongst others. The two remaining vocalists are husbands and wife team Rod and Tracey McAuley, hailing from Ballymena; they play in the music business and will enthral the audiences by recreating some of the biggest country songs ever recorded from artists like Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette and Tanya Tucker.
Accompanying this array of vocal talent is a group of very accomplished musicians who have worked with all the top names in showbiz. They come under the title of the 'The Blueridge Mountain Boys' and will feature Ally Skeaggs as the Musical Director on keyboards, Don Ponsonby on drums, Percy Robinson on lead/steel guitar and Paul Curran on bass. A carefully designed stage set with authentic costume changes adds the finishing touches for what promises to be an unmissable night of entertainment that will keep you singing and clapping all night long to those famous Nashville Sounds.
Ardhowen's drama programme continues on Friday 11th May at 8.00pm when the excellent Ransom Productions and Director Rachel O'Riordan present 'This Piece Of Earth' by Richard Dormer. This groundbreaking new play by one of Northern Ireland's most exciting writers is a heartbreaking love story set in Ballycastle, Co. Antrim during the devastating famine of the 1840's. To tell the story from the Northern Ireland perspective is something new, and perhaps we don't realise how this part of the country was just as equally devastated as the South and West of Ireland.
The central characters, John and Maeve, struggle to survive and through their struggle is revealed the redemptive power of love. Moving, haunting and stimulating, the play poses some tough questions about man's inhumanity to man as it explores one of the greatest injustices in modern history. It's a production that uses poetry and physical theatre to great effect and has three superb performances from Lalor Roddy, Pauline Goldsmith and Richard Dormer. It's a production surely destined to end up in London's West End. Superb reviews include "Richard Dormer's Becket inspired play has an urgent sense of 'Lest we forget' about it.... Rachel O'Riordan's harrowing production is possessed of an unremitting balletic quality" Jane Coyle – Irish Times, and "Playwright Richard Dormer has given his two main characters an warm humanity that shines through the horror they find themselves in... As is the norm with Ransom Productions, the acting from Lalor Roddy, Pauline Goldsmith and Richard Dormer himself, is wonderful...This Piece Of Earth is a warm human story with a powerful political sting in the tail." Robert McMillen – The Irish News.
On Saturday 12th May the Hanna Sisters pay their first visit to the Ardhowen Theatre. These classically trained sisters were immersed in traditional music from an early age and it was only time before they established a reputation as an exciting and entertaining act, with a mixture of Celtic rock, traditional and contemporary covers mixed among some of their own songs. Between them they play a frightening range of instruments. In their live act Mary plays keyboards although if required she can also play guitar as well. Nuala's main instrument is violin but she can also play piano, guitar, and tin whistle and has been known to play bongos. Breige fluctuates between whistles and violin on stage but can also play uillean pipes, piano, guitar and has in the past played banjo. All three share vocals and their distinctive harmonies are certainly a key attraction of this family group. The performance is at 8.00pm.
