Fancy - A BIT ON THE SIDE

A BIT ON THE SIDE

Sat 31^st Jan | Doors 7pm. Show 8pm | Tkts: €27.90

The Donegal Comic has already established one of the most successful touring circuits for any Irish comedian. He has been selling out Theatres across the country for the past 8 years, breaking box office records, year in and year out. But the Funny man takes his hilarious humour to a whole new level in this side-splitting 2 Act comedy farce.

The action takes place in the household of Bridie and Willie Murphy, a couple who have fought the war of marriage, for over 30 years!

It is a love story unlike any other. Wandering eyes, wandering feet, wandering hands.....It's all here! Bodies get tangled, food orders mixed up and money gets moved with the addition of just one letter to a cheque - a big cheque too! Join Bridie, Willie, Dick and Cynthia as this tale of passion and intrigue unfolds!

The demand for tickets has been overwhelming for the Donegal Comic,  even with a track record like his. Having 18 sell out nights over 4 weeks is a fantastic achievement, and that count is steadily rising!  Conal said that he is absolutely over the moon with the reaction to the play so far "There is no better feeling than arriving to do a show to a full house, and by the way theatres are already booking, the whole tour could be Sold Out in advance" 

As Conal says himself, “To do this play, I really had to sit back and make the decision to step back from my live stand up shows. This was a hard decision to make; I have spent a long time, working very hard, building up my Stand–up tour. It has been my bread and butter all my life. To take a break from this to pursue the comedy play is a major risk. For it to be as successful as my stand-up comedy career, I have to give the play 100% of my time and effort.”

MARY BLACK Sat 14th Feb, 2015 | Doors 7pm. Show 8pm | Tkts: €30.00

To coincide with the launch of her autobiography “Down the Crooked Road”, Mary Black is delighted to announce a date at The Royal Theatre, Castlebar on St Valentine’s Night 14th February 2015.

This is Mary’s first Irish tour in four years and she is looking forward to getting back to her Irish audiences. Mary will be joined on stage by her band - Bill Shanley, Pat Crowley, Nick Scott and Richie Buckley.

For the last quarter-century, singer Mary Black has been a dominant presence in Irish music, both at home and abroad. She has shared stages, tv shows and recording studios with some of the most revered performers of her time. She has also played a frontline role in bringing Irish music, past and present, to an increasingly appreciative and ever-growing global audience. The San Francisco Chronicle has described her as "one of the best interpretative singers around".

Coming from an intensely musical family, with her mother a fine singer and her father an entertaining fiddle player, Mary first came to the music public’s attention in the late ‘70s as a member of the group General Humbert with whom she recorded and toured. In 1983 she teamed up with guitarist/producer Declan Sinnott (later to become Christy Moore’s musical sidekick) and released her eponymously-named debut solo album. It reached No. 4 in the Irish Charts and is ranked among the best Irish albums of the early 1980’s.  It won her the Irish Independent Arts Award for Music, the first in a staggering sequence of awards that continue to come her way.

2008 marked the 25th anniversary of Mary’s first solo album, and to celebrate the momentous occasion Mary released a special compilation double album 25 Years/25 Songs. The album went straight to No. 1 in the Irish charts, where it remained for a staggering five weeks, spending over seven months in the Irish top 40!

The British magazine ‘What Hi-Fi?’ considers Mary Black’s voice to be so pure that they have repeatedly used it for comparing the sound quality of different high fidelity systems. In an industry noted for its fickleness and its almost insatiable need for fresh novelties, Mary Black’s enduring successes have proven that her depth of talent and her love of singing transcend the generations, as well as national and musical boundaries too. She is indeed a real Irish treasure and her talent a gift from this small Ireland to a grateful world.

Mayo Rape Crisis Centre (MRCC) name Martina Jennings as Mayo’s Inspirational Woman

 

Nollaig na mBan Inspirational Woman 2015 Martina Jennings pictured with Senator Marie Louise McDonnell and Therese O’Grady, Sports Clinic West, who sponsored the event. Photo: Trish Forde.

Inspirational sister, daughter, mother and relentless Cystic Fibrosis activist, Martina Jennings, was  awarded the title of Mayo’s Inspirational Woman by MRCC, at a packed out venue at the TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar 06.01.15. The fundraising event Nollaig na mBan or Women's Little Christmas, was held to raise funds for the Mayo Rape Crisis Centre building in Castlebar which is in urgent need of repair after recent storm damage revealed extensive structural problems.

Martina Jennings was nominated by her brother Billy who has CF, as well as others including her own daughter. Martina's mother died when Billy was 7 years old and since then, together with her sister Caroline she has cared for Billy right up until a recent lung and heart transplant and continues to do so. As a fundraiser extraordinaire for CF West, she has helped make a 1.3 Million euro clinic for people with Cystic Fibrosis a reality. Focused on her goal, Martina has been relentless in her pursuit of making the world and Mayo not just more informed but a better place for those with CF.

The event, which was sold out within days of the tickets going on sale, saw keynote speaker, Senator Marie Louise O Donnell, broadcaster, politician and lecturer, deliver a hilarious yet thought-provoking speech about the empowerment of women, ending with an outstanding recital of renowned African-American poet, Maya Angelou’s ‘Phenomenal Woman’. Luxury gifts generously donated from across the local business community for spot prizes and raffle prizes were distributed to over 130 women who enthusiastically supported the event, including well-known TV presenter sisters, Grainne and Sile Seoige.

Loretta McDonagh, MRCC Acting Director of Services said: “Martina Jennings is a very worthy winner and we are very proud to award her our inaugural Mayo’s Inspirational Woman title for her outstanding work for Cystic Fibrosis. Indeed all the women who were nominated for this award are truly inspirational and deserve to be recognized for the positive impact they have had on the lives of others.

We were completely overwhelmed by the huge level of support we received from the Mayo community, both businesses and individuals, for our Nollaig na mBan fundraising event. This is indicative of the community spirit which has helped us to build the foundations and facilitate a vital service for over 20 years for those affected by sexual violence here in Mayo. With constant threats to our funding we have to rely on the generosity of our local public and they have delivered time after time.”

Beyond the Barricade - feat. songs from Les Miserables

Following a sell out run in Ballina, Beyond the Barricade comes to The Royal Theatre on Fri 16 & Sat 17th of January 2015.

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Beyond The Barricade tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption - a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit.

Ex-convict Jean Valjean (Patrick Lacken) is hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Michael Slater) after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Tara Doherty) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever.

Featuring show stopping classics from the musical phenomenon that is Les Miserables including “I Dreamed A Dream”, “Bring Him Home”, “One Day More”,"Master of the House" and “On My Own” to name a few. This is a performance not to be missed. It boasts an impressively talented 80 strong cast called "Heroes for Hospice" based in Ballina and the surrounding areas and directed by Lavinia Gilmartin .

All proceeds from this production are being donated to Mayo Roscommon Hospice. Don't miss out on your chance to be part of it.

Tickets on sale now from Box Office 094 90 23111 

Panto Time Again!!

It is almost time to boo, laugh, scream, and holler 'oh yes it is' as the onstage antics unfold at one of the firm favourites in the entertainment calendar in Mayo.

Castlebar Pantomime is ready to make a big splash with its 30th anniversary production of The Little Mermaid in the The Royal Theatre from Thurs 8th to Sun 11th. And, according to director Antoinette Starken, this year's production is going to be absolutely spectacular as the panto committee celebrates 30 years onstage in the county town.

Many will be familiar with the much loved story of The Little Mermaid, Ariel, who dreams of being able to live on land and live happily ever after with her dashing prince. In order to get her wish and exchange her tail for legs, the mermaid has to give Ursula the enchantress something in return - her voice.

Will it all be worth it? Or will some other evil prevent the two from being together?

This year, the pantomime committee is using a system of projected backdrops, 
similar to those used in a West End show, to give their 30th anniversary production
some extra 'wow factor'.

The Little Mermaid looks set to be a colourful, musical, entertaining show
for all of the family to enjoy.

Tickets: Child €14, Adult €17, Family ( 2 adult, 2 child) €50, €14 for all tickets on Thursday 8th

EVENING SHOWS:
Thur 8^th – Sat 10^th Jan 2015
Doors 7pm. Show 7.45pm

MATINEES:
Sat 10th & Sun 11th Jan 2015
Doors 2pm. Show 2.45pm

The Royal News

 

Our brand new publication, The Royal News, is now available to view online. Many of you will have seen it around shops and business in Mayo over the past week - with many of you receiving it through your door. 

If you did not receive it - don't worry, you can view it right - Just click on the image above!!

 

Some Twitter reaction to David Gray's Castlebar show!

Indie Rock Legend David Gray played the Royal Theatre  on Monday Dec 8th and he was AMAZING!!!!!! 

Have a look at what was said on Twitter.. 

@MayomanMolloy 

Thank you @DavidGray for coming to Castlebar. The show was brilliant and I throughly enjoyed it. Hope you did too! 

12:53 AM - 9 Dec 2014

   

@mcloughlinniall Follow

"@DavidGray: Castlebar! @TheRoyal_Cbar pic.twitter.com/8htUvrjNIg" thanks David. Great gig

 

David Gray @ Royal Theatre Castlebar http://instagram.com/p/wXY5nXNXpp/

@kenarmstrong1 

Thanks very much to @DavidGray for coming to play Castlebar. As spokesman for the back row, we enjoyed it immensely. :)

David Gray        ✔ @DavidGray

Follow

Castlebar! @TheRoyal_Cbar