On Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd February, Ardhowen Theatre opens its Spring '08 drama programme with a masterpiece of the modern theatre, when the excellent London Classic Theatre Company present Mike Leigh's enduring black comedy 'Abigail's Party'. First produced in London in 1977, it is still relevant 31 years later and has now become something of a cult classic.
Beverly, who likes the good life and will seemingly put up with a husband whom she doesn't love in order to live it, has decided to throw a party for their new neighbours, bubbly nurse Angela and her taciturn husband Tony. Beverly's husband Laurence, is a stressed out workaholic estate agent, who likes Beethoven, Van Gogh prints and Lowry's paintings but who is incapable of relaxing in his wife's company. As the party gets underway and the drinks start flowing, things seem to be working out well. However the attempts at one-upmanship and the tension of Beverly and Laurence's barely functional marriage bring an edge to the proceedings. They continue to bait each other and are happy to use their guests, including the timid Sue who arrives late, as weapons in their attempts to humiliate each other.
As you can imagine, in the midst of all of this, there are some hugely funny comic situations with guaranteed laughs. It's an achingly funny examination of suburban life reflecting the real-life behaviours of aspiring couples in mid 1970's suburbia. Performances are at 8pm.
THE FUREYS
The Fureys and Davey Arthur who play at Ardhowen Theatre on Thursday 7th February at 8pm will celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2008 with a series of concerts throughout Europe, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada.
The band were formed in 1978 literally by accident. George, Paul and Davey were playing in Denmark with their own band called the Buskers and Eddie and Finbar, while touring in Germany were involved in a road accident. When George, Paul and Davey got news of the accident they immediately travelled to Germany to be with their brothers. They then decided that they should all be playing together and this was the start of the Fureys and Davey Arthur.
Inevitably changes have occurred over 30 years. Their brother Paul died suddenly in June 2002 Dan Finbar left the band in December 1996, however George, Eddie Dan Davey Arthur have continued to delight audiences on their tours and have been releasing a new CD every year. They will be touring in 2008 with tow superb musicians – Luke Crowley Dan Dominic Leech.
The oldest of the brothers, Eddie left home in 1966 and travelled to Scotland at the time of the great folk revival where he met and shared accommodation in Edinburgh with then unknown folk singers Billy Connolly, Gerry Rafferty and Alex Campbell, now all famous in their own right. In 1969 with his brother Finbar, he was the special guest for the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem throughout the USA and Canada. In 1971 he moved to mainland Europe where he toured for seven years with Finbar, building up a huge following particularly in Germany. Dave Stewart from the Eurythmics has credited Eddie as teaching him his first chords on guitar when they met up in the North east of England while Dave was still a teenager.
The band became an instant success and had a string of hits including When You Were Sweet Sixteen, The Green Fields of France, Red Rose Café, The Old Man, Steal Away, Her Father Didn't Like Me Anyway, Clare to Here and Leaving Nancy.
The Fureys and Davey Arthur are responsible for some of the most stirring music ever to capture the public imagination. Their folk based music has received standing ovations in some of the biggest concert halls of the world and they credit their musical ability to their parents, Ted and Nora, who were well known musicians themselves. They encouraged their sons to play music from a very early age and there was live traditional music in their house almost nightly.
Over the years some of their greatest admirers have ranged from the neighbours they grew up with in Ballyfermot to the top sports people and politicians of the world and have performed for leaders such as Australian Prime Minister John Howard, Irish President Mary McAleese and Pope John Paul. British Prime Minister Tony Blair has stated that his favourite peace song of all time is the Fureys 'Green Fields of France'.
To coincide with their 30th anniversary the Fureys and Davey Arthur will release a new live recording on DVD and CD.
RUMOURS OF FLEETWOOD MAC
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of legendary album 'Rumours' the amazing 'Rumours of Fleetwood Mac' are back in the Ardhowen Theatre on Saturday 9th February at 8pm after their sell out show last year. Touring world-wide with Mick Fleetwood's golden seal of approval the critically acclaimed 'Fleetwood Mac' celebration concert 'Rumours of Fleetwood Mac' now returns to the UK to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the legendary 'Fleetwood Mac' rock album 'Rumours'
With their meticulously crafted instrumentals and tight harmonies, they're bringing the classic hits of the legendary Fleetwood Mac back to the masses once again. Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac has perfected the legacy of blues, rock and pop classics that made Fleetwood Mac the icons of the music industry they are today.
With over 300 major theatre concerts behind them, Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac have now performed to over 250,000 Mac fans world-wide and are recognised as the most authentic snapshot of rock super group Fleetwood Mac!
Once again, they will wow audiences in cities across the UK over 2008; this celebratory tour will see Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac performing the whole 'Rumours' album in its entirety.
