Arts & Culture

The 90 plus strong cast has been selected, the roles have been defined and the costumes designed, because in a wacky and bizarre place called ‘Wonderland’ something special is about to begin all over again….For the past few weeks, the characters have been busy brushing up on their lines readying themselves for curtain call for Sixmilebridge Youth Club’s pantomime adaptation of Alice in Wonderland which runs over successive weekends, commencing this weekend. The pantomime show follows the familiar story line of this adventurous classic as Grace O’Connor slips into the role of ‘Alice’ as she makes a journey through the whacky and sometimes chaotic land that is Wonderland to meet the ‘Queen of Hearts’ played by Aoibhinn Gallagher and her husband the ‘King of Hearts’ played by Alan Murphy. With so much doom and gloom around, but in keeping with tradition this year’s script will no doubt make references to both local and national issues but with a humorous slant …

“PEOPLE wrote to us after the show to say that it inspired them to make up with their mothers or that they rang their mother straight away after seeing it. It was very moving to hear that.”David Bolger is talking about audience reaction to his new stage show, Swimming with my Mother, which examines the relationship between a mother and a son and plays at the Belltable in Limerick on January 28 and 29 as part of the Unfringed Festival. A dance duet between David and his mother, Madge, the show looks at how Madge taught him to swim and uses this to explore memory and the way things are passed down between generations“Swimming stands as a bond between us,” explains David on a break from rehearsals. “My mother was taught to swim by my grandfather – her father – and she taught her kids to swim. So it’s the idea of something being passed back. I think it’s a …

A GROUP of world-class Irish traditional musicians are joining up for a special concert in aid of Ciúnas, a community service for family carers.Traditional singer Karan Casey will be joined by Niall Valley, concertina, Mick O’Brien, uileann pipes, Michelle Mulcahy, harp, Tommy Hayes, percussion, among many others for an exclusive concert on February 11 at 8pm in Feakle.The one off concert will take place in St Mary’s Church and is a must for all traditional music lovers. Tickets can be purchased on the door and from Ciunas 061 924837or ciunascentre@yahoo.ie.

THE second Fanore Song night will be held on Friday, February 18 from 9.30pm. The venue is, as always, O’Donohue’s Pub in Fanore, and special guest will be Andy Guthrie. Andy is one of the great singers in North Clare, with a rich and varied repertoire, from great ballads to humorous ditties, with which he has performed to many an audience at festivals and singing sessions over the years. The new fear an tí for the song night is Michael Clerkin, who follows in the footsteps of John Casey, who gave up the role in January. Michael has a vast knowledge of Irish traditional music and has been in many events with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. Other upcoming dates for the Fanore Songnights include O’Donohue’s Pub on April 15 with special guest Róisín White and a concert with American singer/songwriter Jim Page at Vasco Restaurant, on May 20.

TWO talented Clare sisters are among a select bunch of family-based groups who will compete for the title of Ireland’s most entertaining family on a new TG4 series called Feis and Blood.Alicia Eccles and Nicola Cusack, have sang together since they were small children and come from a musical family, with their Dad Chris (Eccles) and mother Lydia also involved in the music scene locally. Chris has had some of his music played on Clare FM over the years, and on Radio Corca Baiscinn, where he also presents from time to time. He is also a keyboard player. Lydia is a member of the Kilkee Church Choir.The sisters perform as Ali and Nicole. Ali (24) lives in Kilkee, a few doors away from her parents, and has worked for a number of years as a nanny for children. She is currently in the process of setting up a small creche. Nicola (31) is currently a stay-at-home mum, and is expecting …

Castings are now being held for an Irish feature film, Seven Songs for Amy, written and to be produced by Fanore-based Fiona Graham.Sonny and Skye productions, co-founded by sisters Fiona Graham and Mairi McLellan, goes into production this summer.  It will be filmed in and around Galway and is a sharp romantic comedy with a love story that spans Ireland and America. With its quick wit, original music and strong feel good factor, it will appeal to both male and female audiences with a broad age range.Seven Songs for Amy portrays real life Ireland, but in classic Irish style, there is always humour to be found when the chips are down. Written by Fiona Graham, the film will be directed by Konrad Begg. Konrad’s unique style and creativity in television have earned him several award nominations. Konrad believes the west coast offers the perfect setting for Seven Songs for Amy. “The west coast of Ireland has always inspired me and …

HUNDREDS of Clare musicians will be showcasing their talents in this year’s Stars of our Bars competition in watering holes throughout the county in the coming months.Following on from the success of last year’s competition, the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) in association with Smithwicks are running the pub talent competition again this year.Up to 5,000 acts from all walks of life across the country and hundreds in Clare alone will take part to be in with a chance to win from the cash prize fund of €50,000 and to be crowned Smithwick’s Stars or our Bars Champion 2011. A spokesman for the competition said all acts are welcome, so musicians should feel free to bring their spoons, don their magician’s cape, or just belt out a ballad of their choice. Heats will commence at the this weekend and successful contestants will move on to the county finals in March before going head-to-head with the best in their county in …

The Green Hornet DIRECTED BY: Michel Gondry STARRING: Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Cameron Diaz, Christoph Waltz CERT: 12A Like many a superhero, The Green Hornet began life on American radio in the 1930s and is probably best known for the short-lived TV series from the 60s, which introduced the world to Bruce Lee. Lee played the hero’s Asian sidekick Kato and in his native Hong Kong, the programme was known simply as The Kato Show.As a masked crusader, The Hornet has been derided as a rip-off of his contemporary Batman – though apparently he was originally conceived as a descendant of The Lone Ranger. In any case he has never enjoyed the same popularity as other superheroes and has been a pretty obscure figure for decades, though a movie has been in the works for some time. Kevin Smith was one of a number of directors attached and the lead role was originally intended for George Clooney. The role is …