An evergreen fairy tale of the frozen north, is the final theatrical piece in Ardhowen Theatre's seasonal programme on Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd February at 7pm, when the Derek Grant Organisation from London presents a family production of 'The Snow Queen'.
The Snow Queen is certainly not a nice person and has big plans to rule the world in a new ice age. As she makes her preparations, she comes across a young orphan, whom she captures bringing him away to her ice palace.
When news reaches his fearless sister Gerda, she sets out to rescue him, facing many adventures along the way. A colourful set of characters inhabit this ice world including the graceful white wolves, the cuddly reindeer, the funny robbers, the Tsar of Russia and Princess Popishka.
It's a colourful family show that runs for one hour and 35 minutes including interval.
IRISH SINGING LEGEND
The popular Brendan Shine, one of the real legends of Irish music over the last number of years makes a further appearance at Ardhowen Theatre after his sell out 2007 show, when he takes to the stage on Friday 25th January at 8pm. Popularly known as 'The Big Fella' he is a brilliant and talented entertainer with many hit songs to his credit including 'Shoe The Donkey', 'Do You Want Your Old Lobby Washed Down', 'Catch Me If You Can', etc. It should be a great musical evening and as we go to press, there are still tickets left.
MUSICAL TREAT
The amazing Beppe Gambetta from Genoa in Italy comes to the Ardhowen Theatre Gallery Bar on Saturday 26th January at 9pm. Acknowledged as one of the very finest guitar stylists in Europe today, the Theatre is delighted to have been able to bring him. Fermanagh people are a discerning lot when if comes to appreciating real talent and local guitar enthusiasts in particular have dined on a menu of great practitioners of that art over recent years, with artists such as Tommy Emmanuel, Carvin Jones, Henry McCullough, Gareth Pearson and many other American bluesmen playing at the Ardhowen.
A gifted acoustic guitarist and vocalist, Beppe's distinctive sound is a multicultural tapestry of original and other material. His musical influences include his native Genoa, along with American flat picking, Celtic, Central European and Mediterranean tunes, classical finger style and much more, Beppe is a legend in Italy and it's about time we here have the opportunity to see him in action. The performance in the Gallery Bar begins at 9pm.
SPRING DRAMA SEASON
Ardhowen's Spring Drama Season starts a little earlier this year when the excellent London Classic Theatre present Mike Leigh's black comedy 'Abigail's Party' for two performances on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd February at 8pm. This landmark of British 20th Century theatre was first produced in London in 1977 and now 30 years later it is still relevant and has become something of a cult classic.
Set in a suburban living room, Beverly who likes the good life and will seemingly put up with a husband whom she doesn't love in order to live it, is having a party and is preparing to receive her guests. She and her husband Lawrence, who is a stressed out workaholic estate agent, are playing host to neighbours Angela, Tony and Susan.
As the party gets underway and the alcohol flows and the 'nibbles' are handed around, Mike Leigh's ruthless, yet achingly funny examination of suburban life begins.
