Four must see shows

So the festive TV schedule has reverted to norm, you’ve exhausted all your sister-in-law’s recommendations. It’s time to return to the real world for a slice of live entertainment. Here’s four ‘must-see’ events about to hit the stage of the Townhall Cavan in the next month.

Danti-Dan

January 24-25

Gina Moxley’s Danti-Dan is billed as “the shamelessly funny tale of the sexual-awakening” of five innocent youngsters in a dead-end small town in Cork.

“One of the best things I’ve ever seen,” says the Celt’s editor Linda O’Reilly of this Livin’ Dred production, who’s not given to hyperbole. Having caught this dark comedy in November 2021, Linda describes Venetia Bowe’s performance as Cactus as “mesmerisingly good”. Not bad considering the impressive cast also includes David Rawle (yes he of Moone Boy fame) in the lead. Put a great script and five talented actors under the direction of Aaron Monaghan and it’s got the making of a brilliant night’s entertainment.

GomBean

January 28

Imagine this as the elevator pitch for a play: “Grace O’Malley - the Warrior Queen is reincarnated as a coffee horsebox entrepreneur, high on debt and low on self-esteem.” Well given the paucity of elevators, the pitch was more likely over the phone by Niamh McGrath, who wrote and stars in this one-woman play. Thankfully Seamus O’Rourke was persuaded to take on the director’s role for what sounds like a fantastic comedy.

Set in a sleepy town in Sligo, GomBean opens a lid on Grace O’Malley’s new coffee van venture, but a blast from her past, wrestling rival Ruby Stephens arrives in town, decades after making it big. Her arrival literally turns Grace’s world upside down, as she contends to win back her title, which she lost at the Community Games in ’94. Some dreams can’t be stomped on!

The Determinator

February 3

Rounding off the must-see drama is another comedy, The Determinator.

Herbie’s had better days. His landlord has served him notice to quit; his neighbour is threatening him with the Guards; he’s been fired from his job; there’s a dead body lying under his bedroom floor and - worst of all - he’s just read in The Anglo-Celt that his ex-girlfriend, the love of his life is about to get married!

If the plot wasn’t enough to entice you out the door - it brings together the considerable combined talent of award winning playwright John McManus, director Padraic McIntyre and brilliant actor Charlie McGuinness. It’ll be class!

Lisa O’Neill

February 10-11

“All of This is Chance,” is the title of Lisa O’Neill’s forthcoming album which the Ballyhaise native will release next month. Of course we all know that little of her success has been down to chance, and everything to do with talent, hard work, and an ear for a folk tune.

Here’s what Pat McCabe has to say about Lisa’s work: “Vertiginous, violet-they scroll across the sky, words with wings VVV, whether wrens or angels one cannot determine, perhaps an alternate universe fusion of both, up down, high, low-dizzy, still; at peace, at war: redemption dreams arise from the clay: soul’s peace, as the bird in the bough its little eye closes slowly: all is chance, they say, indeed-save this, indisputably, O’ Neill’s Art’s gentle triumph.”