Lovely Hurlin'

Though it sounds like the stuff of a Kilkenny farmer’s acid trip, The All Star Wars went down a treat with punters during its opening run in the Cork Opera House
last year.

Merging the beautiful game with a host of musical numbers, the show follows young hurler Hugh Cullen – a descendent of Cúchulainn no less – who is visited by the mysterious Obi Wan Camogie (ah c’mon, you gotta respect a good GAA pun). Written by Kevin McCormack, The All Star Wars promises an “epic saga of heroes, hurleys and hang sandwiches”. Sold!
Meanwhile, Tommy Tiernan’s On The Táin Trail continues to make its way down through the deep bowels of the midlands. As he follows the route taken by Queen Maeve on her quest to steal the Brown Bull of Cooley, Tiernan will stop off in the Bohemian Centre, Ardee (January 26), Mullingar Park Hotel (27), Dean Crowe Theatre & Arts Centre (28) and Roscommon’s Abbey Hotel (29).
To Munster next, where magician, illusionist and general freak of nature Keith Barry will perform his 8 Deadly Sins show. The Waterford native will read minds, memorise books and of course, reveal the mysterious eighth deadly sin, in Cork’s Everyman Palace (January 27 – 29) and University Concert Hall, Limerick (February 8).
Neil Delamere meanwhile brings Restructuring to Tipperary’s Source Arts Centre (January 27) and the Ramor Theatre, Cavan (29). David O’Doherty visits the Spirit Store, Dundalk (January 27), and Cork’s Pavilion (February 3, 4). Brendan Grace is in the Forum, Waterford (January 27, 28) and Killarney’s INEC (February 4), Jason Byrne takes to the Cork Opera House stage (January 27) and Des Bishop is in the Forum (February 3).