Cork is the real star in new comedy musical
Funny, entertaining, scary, stressful, magical: just some of the words used by the stars themselves to describe the ‘Summer Revels!’ musical theatre show which opens in Cork Opera House this month.
As performers jostles for the spotlight, each claiming to be the main attraction, they can all agree that ‘Summer Revels!’ is something very close to the heart of Cork Opera House and indeed the people of Cork.
The entirely homegrown musical-comedy production is a loving throw back to the shows of the same name that ran throughout the '70s and '80s at Cork Opera House.
Running from 24 July to 4 August, the show is much more than mere entertainment – it’s a celebration of Cork, for Cork, by Cork! With slick choreography, big numbers, hilarious comedy sketches, and plenty of hi-jinks, the show is rooted in the famously unique everyday humour of Corkonians.
Directed by Killian Collins and John O’Brien, ‘Summer Revels!’ brims with local wit and characters inspired by the vibrant culture of the and performed by an entirely Cork cast!
The cast is led by Claire O’Leary, one of Leeside’s brightest lights on London’s West End. O’Leary is fresh from her recent run at The London Palladium in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of ‘Wizard of Oz’, following her West End debut in 'Les Miserables'.
Claire is joined by Cork theatre icons Declan Wolfe (RTE’s 'The Den', The Improv Panto), Michael Sands ('The Sound of Music', 'Annie', 'The Young Offenders') and Trevor Ryan ('Sound of Music').
The 17 strong ensemble includes several Cork musical theatre performers including Marie O’Donovan, Therese O’Sullivan, Alex Glennon, Fiona Kennedy, Alison Arnopp, and Precious Abimbola.
The cast also features characters from the world of circus with Cormac Mohally (Lords of Strut, Body Brothers); the world of magic with local psychological magician Daniel Cremin; and the world of music with musical director Cathal Synnott ('Riverdance', Gate Theatre’s 'Sweeney Todd', 'Once') leading a versatile band of Dylan Howe ('Rowan'), Patrick Lynch, and Anastacia Beary in the jukebox musical score of pop hits and musical theatre favourites.
‘Summer Revels’ started life in 1971, with the hope that it might run for a week. It ended up running for seven weeks that summer and was continued for 21 years at Cork Opera House. Some of the mainstays of the Revels were Chah and Miah (Frank Duggan and Michael Twomey), Billa (O'Connell), Paddy Comerford, Pat Sullivan and Noel Barret, and director Eileen Nolan.