Ardhowen's Spring Drama Season opens on Thursday 5th and Friday 6th February, when Big Telly Theatre Company bring their hugely funny production of 'Puckoon' for two performances. Adapted by Vincent Higgins and Zoe Seaton from Spike Milligan's book of the same name, together with Musical Director Paul Boyd, they have created a hilarious piece of theatre that will be a real tonic for audiences.
It's set in the tiny, quiet little Irish village of 'Puckoon' where not a lot happens and everyone seems content with their life. However, all hell breaks loose, when officers of the Boundary Commission arrive to draw a new boundary line between the North and South of Ireland, by carving it right down the middle of the village, dividing house from out house, man from wife, pub chairs from the bar and the church from the cemetery. There is absolute chaos, as the townsfolk struggle to get their drinks on the cheaper side of the pub and have to procure and produce passports in order to bury the recently deceased. It's a hilarious and irreverent look at rural community life, an inspired piece of theatrical goonishness that's sure to have audiences rolling in the aisles. The performances on 5th and 6th February are at 8pm.
IRISH LEGENDS
Ardhowen's Spring Programme each year is never complete without a concert by the one and only 'Fureys and Davey Arthur'. This believe it or not is their 31st year together as a band and the 14th consecutive year that they have thrilled and entertained audiences from the Ardhowen stage.
What can you say about these legends of Irish music that hasn't already been said. They are unique and their songs are known and loved in countries all over the world. Their concert at Ardhowen on Saturday 7th February will include all their classic songs including the immortal 'Red Rose Cafe', 'From Clare To Here', 'Steal Away', 'When You Were Sweet 16', 'The Old Man', 'The Green Fields Of France, etc, the list goes on and on. If you haven't seen them, book without delay, as they will not be around forever. Their performance on Sat 7th starts at 8.00pm and tickets are selling fast.
A FEAST FOR COUNTRY MUSIC FANS
On Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th February, Country Music fans have a real treat in store when two legends of Country come together on the Ardhowen stage in a hugely entertaining concert. The legendary Billie Jo Spears was born in Beaumont, Texas and since that time her sultry, bluesy country voice has made her a popular singing star all over the world. From her debut in a concert in Houston, she got a contract with United Artists and moved to Nashville where she worked and recorded. Her success in the early days was mixed but she pressed on and when the song 'Mr Walker, It's All Over' climbed into the Country Music top 5, she was really on her way. After an operation to remove nodules and polyps from her vocal chords, which could have robbed her of her voice entirely, she came back even stronger with her first number one hit 'Blanket On The Ground'. This was followed by hits such as 'Misty Blue', What I've Got In Mind', both of which reached the top five. She is an artist that not only made it in the United States, but became even more popular in Great Britain, Ireland and all over Europe where she continues to tour on a regular basis.
Joining Billie Jo for this very special concert is Ireland's own Queen of Country Music, the evergreen Philomena Begley. It's her 45th year in the music business and this tour is a celebration of that milestone. The tour is ably supported by her musician son, Aidy and a six-piece band. This County Tyrone lass has reached the very heights of Country Music fame, appearing at such prestigious venues as New York's Carnegie Hall, Wembley Festival, London's Royal Albert Hall and the Sydney Opera House as well of course many times at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
A recording artist with 25 albums to her credit and numerous singles, Philomena is just as busy as ever, with tours throughout the world including Spain, Portugal, South Africa, the United States and the Caribbean.
This eagerly awaited evening brings together two legends of Country Music and is a real treat for local fans. The performances on February 11th and 12th start at 8pm.
COMEDY WITH A STING IN THE TAIL
On Friday 13th and Saturday 14th February, Ardhowen's Spring Drama Season continues with a visit from the excellent London Classic Theatre Company and their award winning comedy 'Humble Boy'. An intelligent, very funny and touching production, it's a comedy with a delightful sting in the tail. Although containing some strong language it's a play well worth seeing as past and present collide with love and uncertainty in a captivating piece of theatre. Performances are at 8pm.
