The Sound of Music
Nowhere elicits a compulsion to burst into song quite like a nunnery. In Sister Act, we had fugitive-in-hiding Delores; in The Sound of Music, nun-in-training Maria. Sent from her convent to be governess to the seven von Trapp children, Maria (Danielle Hope, winner of BBC’s Over the Rainbow) takes a love of music with her. She makes a choir of the family, enchanting their stern father Captain von Trapp (Steven Houghton, Coronation Street’s Jeff Cullen). As with the film adaptation, the musical’s highlights come when the children and Maria are on stage. Houghton is the show’s weak link, singing with the jaw movements of an all-night raver, and there is no spark between him and Hope. Keeping the running time under three hours means the captain must shed his tough exterior before Maria has a chance to be charming and, while the best-known songs are present, they’re not always where you might expect. The children are a delight and the final scenes, featuring a Nazi chase, are impressively executed. The show’s star is Jan Hartley as the Reverend Mother, whose reverberating solos burst the convent walls and flood the auditorium.
Bord Gais Energy, Dublin, Mon-Sat 7.30pm, €20-€60 01 6777 999
ARMAGH
■ Fly me to the moon: Marie Jones comedy.
Market Place, Fri-Sat 8pm, £13-£16 028 3752 1821
BELFAST
■ Dancing at Lughnasa: New production of Brian Friel play.
Lyric, Wed-Sat 7.45pm, Sat 2.30pm, £15-£26.50 028 9038 1081
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■ Dancing Shoes - The George Best Story: Drama about late Manchester United Player.
Grand Opera House, Mon-Thur 7.30pm, Fri-Sat 5pm & 8pm, £16.50-£32.50 028 9024 1919
CORK
■ Alan Carr: With Yap Yap Yap! show.
Opera House, Thur-Sat 8pm, €34.50 021 427 0022
■ Goldilocks and the Three Bears: For children.
Briery Gap, Macroom, today 3pm, €10 026 417 93
■ Hometalk from Abroad: By Brendan Griffin.
Cork Arts Theatre, Thur-Fri 1pm & 8pm, Sat 8pm, €10-€20 021 4505 624
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■ The Lonesome West: Martin McDonagh’s dark comedy.
Everyman Palace, Tue-Sat 8pm, €9-€26 021 450 1673
DERRY
■ Anything Goes: Staged by Lights Up theatre company.
Riverside, Fri & Sat 8pm, €13 028 7012 3123
■ Life and Love: Lesbian Style: By Hillary McCollum.
Playhouse, Fri 8pm, €7 028 7126 8027
DUBLIN
■ By the Bog of Cats: Marina Carr play.
Abbey, Mon-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2pm, €13-€45 01 8787 222
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■ Fred Cooke: With Gerry McBride and Paul Marsh.
Laughter Lounge, Thu-Sat 8pm, €26 01 878 3003
■ Elvis is My Daddy: John Murphy drama.
Dolmen, Cornelscourt, Mon-Sat 8pm, €12 087 101 8202
■ Gotta Make that Train: Country and Western musical.
Tivoli, Mon-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm, €24.50 01 4544 472
■ Language of the Mute: By Jack Harte.
New Theatre, Mon-Sat 7.30pm, €12-€15 01 670 3301
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■ The Margulies Trilogy: Three dramas by American playwright Donald Margulies.
Viking, Clontarf, Thur-Sat 8pm, €5 087 112 9970
■ A Month in the Country: Brian Friel’s version of Turgenev’s drama.
Gate, Mon-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm, from €25 01 874 4045
■ Once: Award-winning musical.
Olympia, Mon-Sat 8pm, Sat 3pm, €29.50-€85 0818 719 330
■ The Quiet Land: Starring Des Keogh and Derry Power.
Bewley’s Café Theatre, Mon-Sat 1pm, €8-€12 086 878 4001
■ Riverdance: Dance theatre spectacular.
Gaiety, today 5pm, Tue-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 3.30pm, from €20 0818 719 388
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■ Salt Mountain: By Carmel Winters.
Project, Mon-Sat 8pm, Sat 2pm, €18-€22 01 8819 613
■ Waiting for Godot: Directed by Patrick Sutton.
Smock Alley, Mon-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm, €12-€15 01 677 0014
FERMANAGH
■ The Murder Room: Mystery farce.
Ardhowen, Enniskillen, Thur-Fri 8pm 028 6632 5440
GALWAY
■ The McGowan Trilogy: Three one-act plays by Seamus Scanlon.
Town Hall Theatre, Fri 8pm, €12-€15 091 569 777
KERRY
■ Fado Fado: Celebration of bygone rural life.
Siamsa Tire, Tralee, Mon-Fri 8.30pm, €27.50 066 712 3055
■ The Importance of Being Honest: Billy Traynor play.
St. John’s theatre, Listowel, Wed 8pm 068 225 66
KILDARE
■ Oliver: Staged by Brian Brady Youth Theatre.
Moat Theatre, Naas, Fri-Sat 7pm, Sat 2pm, €12 045 883 030
LEITRIM
■ Beneath the Bone Moon: Marina Carr play.
Abbey, Mon-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2pm, €13-€45 028 7126 8027