Whiskey In The Jarlath

First up, it’s this fortnight’s Hoot Press interviewee (if you care to look to the left) – the one and only Jarlath Regan. The man you might recognise from RTÉ’s The Panel performs at Dublin’s Laughter Lounge from March 24 – 26.

Elsewhere, Andrew Maxwell takes to the stage at Clare’s Glor Theatre on March 25, then heads to the sunny south-east for a show at the Theatre Royal in Waterford (26).
Indeed, the Theatre Royal is getting plenty of action this fortnight. The venue hosts its annual Theatre Royal Variety Performance from March 31 – April 2. Paying tribute to the great musicals, the show’s cast will perform hits from the likes of Blood Brothers, Chicago and 42nd Street. On hand to tickle your funny bone are comedy troupe The Bilberry Goats, a local five-piece led by Tony Corcoran, who’ll perform five sketches each night.
If, however, you’re of the opinion that sketches are for wimps, you’d be better advised to head north, where Donegal’s Balor Theatre plays host to the gritty Singin’ I’m No A Billy, He’s A Tim, for one night only on April 6. The play, written by Des Dillon, sees two Glasgow men forced to share a jail cell – one a Celtic fan, the other a diehard Rangers supporter. And if that’s not bad enough, they’re banged up on the day of an Old Firm match. The play’s witty script, teamed with powerful performances from Scott Kyle and Colin Little, illustrates the sectarian divide that still exists in west Scotland.
And from deep-rooted Rangers/Celtic rivalry, to the age-old Dublin equivalent – Ross O’Carroll-Kelly is back! The brainchild of journo Paul Howard, Ross grew up on Dublin’s affluent southside during the heady days of the Celtic Tiger. A fan of rugby, Lillies Bordello and fast “cors”, Ross despises Northsiders (he’s clearly never met this writer), despite having spawned a skobie son in his younger years. In Between Foxrock And A Hard Place, the satire continues, although Ireland’s recession has now caught up with the O’Carroll-Kellys – Ross has lost his wealth, and what’s worse, his favourite nightclub has been forced to close down. Catch the play in the Cork Opera House from March 28 – April 2, and in Dublin’s Gaiety from April 4 – 9.
Elsewhere, The Rubberbandits continue their nationwide tour this fortnight with a stop-off in Cork’s Pavilion on March 25, the ever-controversial Abie Philbin-Bowman brings Sex, Lies and the KKK to Cork’s Granary on March 24 and the Source Arts Centre in Tipperary (25), and Maeve Higgins’ Ready For This? plays at the Set Theatre, Kilkenny on March 24, the Riverbank Arts Centre (25), and Brennan’s Lane Bar in Mayo on April 6.