Award-winning performer returns to the MAC

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Renowned writer, director, actor and musician, Cora Bissett returns to the MAC on 1-5 May for her latest show, What Girls Are Made Of.

Following an award-winning, sold out premiere at Traverse Festival 2018, What Girls Are Made Of comes to the MAC as part of a UK and worldwide tour, before heading to Brazil and the USA.

Written and performed by Cora Bissett, co-creator and director of the acclaimed Glasgow Girls, which visited the MAC in 2017, What Girls Are Made Of  takes audiences back to 1992 to tell the autobiographical story of Cora’s rollercoaster journey from Fife schoolgirl to indie singer.

Directed by former Traverse Artistic Director, Orla O’Loughlin, the show celebrates the euphoric highs (touring with Radiohead, partying with Blur) and epic lows (untrustworthy managers, £40,000 debt) of Bisset’s young life, poignantly interspersed with the personal losses and gains of her adult life.  Now a mother herself, Bissett draws from her own teenage diaries to question what wisdom we should pass on to the next generation, and which mistakes we should let them make for themselves.

Performed with a live backing band and packed full of 90s indie tunes from Nirvana, Blur, Sultans of Ping, Radiohead and Throwing Muses, What Girls Are Made Of  promises to be a fun night out,  bringing audiences on a trip down memory lane and giving them an insight into what life in the music industry is really like.

Speaking about the show, Cora Bisset said: ‘I never imagined that last year when I started wading through the old diaries and piecing together this story into a play, that we would end up this year with a tour traversing Scotland and Northern Ireland and ending up in Brazil and the USA! I’m really excited to take the show on the road and particularly back to my old home turf in Fife, where I was born and went to school.

The play starts in Glenrothes and charts my teenage self, looking for the big adventure that life might hold. I was overwhelmed by the response we got in Edinburgh last year, where it seemed to resonate with everyone from teenage girls, to middle-aged men and women with teenage kids, and to older people who felt that teenage self rekindled. It seemed to be everyone’s story. 

It tickles me that a story about an indie kid from Fife somehow clicked with theatre programmers in Sao Paulo and South Carolina, who want to share it with their audiences.  Maybe that’s because, although it speaks in broad Fife-isms, it also speaks in universalities. It’s about growing up, and not wanting to be anyone’s puppet. It’s about making big leaps of faith and failing monumentally. It’s about searching in the dark for years for what the hell you’re meant to be doing. It’s about losing loves, losing faith, losing parents, losing weight, hitting the depths and working out how you build yourself back up again. It’s about being a girl, bringing up a girl, trying to be a woman, and trying to work out how to pass something on that is actually useful. It’s about celebrating imperfection, not homogenisation. It’s human, it’s truthful, it’s a total ‘riddy’, but it’s life, and it seems to be a bit about us all. Maybe that’s why we are touring from Fife to far, far away. I can’t wait to see how audiences take to the show in different corners of the world.’

Tickets for What Girls Are Made Of at the MAC are on sale now at themaclive.com or call the box office on 028 90235053.

Jacqueline shares her pick of what’s on this Easter weekend across NI

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Bangor’s BIG Easter weekend will feature some of your favourite storybook characters, Mr McGregor’s Garden, children’s workshops, Hotch Potch Tiny Tours, the Easter Bunny, storytelling, Puppet Shows and more!  The highlight of the weekend will be Milkshake Live! Monkey’s Milkshake Musical on Saturday 20th April at the McKee Clock Arena.

Armagh

Join the living history team at the Navan Centre’s live action interpretation of the Three Billy Goats Gruff 20th to 23rd April  – the perfect Easter experience for all the family!  Trip-trap went the Three Billy Goats Gruff on their adventure to find some lovely green grass! 

Fermanagh

On the 20th and 21st April Share Discovery Village invites you to join them on their Happy Easter Family Cruise.  Come on board the Inishcruiser for a 1.5 hour cruise on Upper Lough Erne, while cruising enjoy light refreshments and Easter themed entertainment.  A perfect Easter day out.

Tyrone

On the 20th April, drop in to Ranfurly House, Market Square in Dungannon and create a cute little bunny this Easter. Using lots of collage materials and your imagination, you will create a colourful bunny to take home. 

Derry

Join resident sand sculptor Tony on Portstewart Strand Saturday 20th April, as he demonstrates the art of sand sculpting. Have a go at creating your own! The theme is ‘creatures of the sea’. Usual National Trust site admission charges apply.

Antrim

Hop aboard the Easter Eggspress for an egg-citing adventure from Belfast to Whitehead this Easter, 20th to 22nd April. You’ll be greeted by the bouncing Easter Bunny and made comfortable on board the steam train. With fun for all the family and, of course, lots of yummy Easter eggs for those egg-cellently behaved little ones, it’s a trip that you won’t want to miss out on!

Belfast

Hop on over to Belfast Zoo this Easter for a ‘zooper’ day out from 20th to 28th April.  Visit all your favourite animals for their Easter treats at feeding times and call by the keeper talks to find out more about the species that the zoo cares for.  Don’t forget to search high and low for the Easter egg trail to be in with the chance of winning a special prize, and pose with our mascot characters for a seasonal selfie.

For more details on these events and to add your events free go to whatsonni.com. Follow us on twitter @whatsonNI and on facebook at fb.com/www.whatsonni for news, competitions and what’s on near you.  

Jacqueline McGonigle

Offers of the week

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Northern Ireland boasts an irresistible collection of places to stay including beautiful B&Bs, luxurious spa hotels and great value self-catering properties. Discover NI has selected the best offers of the week to help you plan a short break.

  • One night B&B, The Hilton Hotel, Belfast from £153 per family per night

Relax at the Hilton Belfast with an idyllic location on the banks of the River Lagan, just a two-minute walk away from the city centre.  Amenities and convenience make this hotel a favourite for visitors to Belfast, with two dining venues offering menu options ranging from local, hearty Irish dishes to classic wines and tapas.  The new family rooms accommodate up to two children. There is plenty to see and do in Belfast this Easter and the Hilton is the perfect base to explore. Game of Thrones™: the Touring Exhibition is in town or discover Titanic or the W5 centre.  This offer is based on two adults and two children sharing. To book call 028 9027 7207.  Offer available until 21st April. 

  • Two night B&B, Belmore Court and Motel, Co. Fermanagh from £71 per room per night

This Easter, discover Enniskillen Castle Museums, in the relaxing setting of Ireland’s only island town.  Belmore Court is sited at the gateway to the wild beauty of Fermanagh, surrounded by beautiful lakes and remarkable parkland golf courses. Providing you with the best comfort at an affordable price, the Motel is within easy walking distance of Enniskillen town centre and its many bars, restaurants and shops.  This Easter package includes a two-night stay based on two persons and tickets to the Enniskillen Castle Museums tour.  To book call 028 6632 6633. Offer available until 21st April 2019.

  • Two nights B&B with one evening dinner for two, Atlantic Hotel, Portrush, Co. Antrim from £199 per room per night

The award-winning Portrush Atlantic Hotel is situated in the centre of town, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel provides the ideal base for visiting the Giant’s Causeway, Old Bushmills Distillery, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Dunluce Castle, Glens of Antrim and many of the iconic filming locations used in Game of Thrones. Counties Restaurant and Cafe Bar is the perfect venue to meet with friends for a meal, coffee or beverages in contemporary surroundings.  This Easter offer includes bed and breakfast plus one two-course meal.  To book call 028 7082 6100. Offer available until 29th April.   

10 things to do in NI next week

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  1. tHillsborough Castle Easter Family Activities, Hillsborough, 18–28 April. A transformed Hillsborough Castle and Gardens will open its doors daily to visitors for the first time this Easter, with a host of exciting events and activities for all the family. ‘Be Our Guest’ offers families a chance to explore over 100 acres of majestic gardens. In a series of theatrical encounters meet fascinating characters from the Castle’s past including America’s founding father Benjamin Franklin, and the third Marquess of Downshire who will entertain the audience with folk tales in the enchanting Glen.
  2. Easter Surf Camp, Portrush, 15–25 April. Alive Surf School is the perfect place to take your kids this Easter with plenty of action and fun suitable for kids aged 5 to 16. As well as learning how to surf, the kids will learn about water safety and see a real improvement in their surfing. Everything is included from wetsuits to surf boards and even hot chocolate afterwards. Kids can come for individual days or more commonly for all four days. Parents are more than welcome to join in and go surfing each day with their kids.
  3. Easter Exhibition by Adrian Margey, Ballymena, 20–23 April. Artist Adrian Margey will hold a major exhibition and sale of his work at Galgorm Resort and Spa this Easter. Adrian has been hailed as one of the ‘rising stars’ of a new generation of Ulster artists. His latest work has been largely inspired by the Causeway Coast and the Glens of Antrim. The exhibition will also showcase dramatic Belfast cityscapes, portrayals of Donegal and the Mournes, and representations of traditional Irish musicians and dancers.
  4. Easter Street Theatre at the Causeway Coast, Ballymoney, 20–22 April. Visitors to the Causeway Coast can enjoy a weekend of free street theatre in the various town centres. Kids can watch exciting circus shows which incorporate a mix of slapstick comedy and circus skills including fire juggling, giant unicycles, stilt walking and fire breathing.
  5. Easter Extravaganza – The Ark Open Farm, Newtownards, 19-23 April. There will be lots of cute and cuddly chicks, bunnies, and little lambs to bottle feed.   With pony rides, quad barrel rides and tractor carriage rides there is something for all the family. Come join the Easter bunny trail and search for Easter eggs. Collect as many eggs as you can to win a prize.
  6. Stones In His Pockets, Belfast, 15–20 April. A small village in rural Ireland is turned upside down when a major Hollywood film studio descends to make a historical blockbuster on location. A pair of extras, Charlie and Jake, watch with amazement, envy and delight as cultures clash. Two actors play a vast array of eccentric and lovable characters in this universally loved, thought-provoking and witty comedy which has won numerous awards.
  7. Easter Egg Hunt, Magherafelt, 20 – 23 April.  The Jungle’s Easter Egg Hunt experience is approximately 60 minutes in duration and entails a lengthy walk through the width and breadth of The Jungle’s enchanting forest. You’re sure to work up an appetite but fear not for there are a variety of hot food, savoury snacks and naughty nibbles, in addition to both hot and cold drinks, sure to leave you refreshed and refuelled, ready for your next adventure challenge!
  8. The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Armagh, 20–23 April. Join the living history team at the Navan Centre’s live action interpretation of the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff – the perfect Easter experience for all the family. Children can enjoy the Easter school holidays at the Easter Craft Club at the Palace Stables with traditional Easter crafts, egg decorating, arts and crafts, and games and of course the ever popular Easter egg hunt.  
  9. Easter Eggstravaganza, Portaferry, 21-23 April.  Put your detective skill to the test by joining in on the Great Exploris Aquarium Easter egg hunt. You can pick up your activity sheet at the reception and begin your journey in the Viking room. Continue to hop around the aquarium searching for eggs and surprises along the way. Cracking good fun for all the family.
  10. The NI Gin Festival, Belfast, 20 April. The NI Gin Festival returns this Easter to the Doyen! Enjoy a selection of over 50 gins from all over the world, all served up to perfection by gin experts and brand ambassadors. Learn all about the perfect garnishes and little touches to enhance the flavour profiles of your chosen gins. Meet the experts and creators as they share stories of the creation and inspiration behind their gins, plus great live music from local talent throughout the event.

For more information on these events or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit www.DiscoverNorthernIreland.com.


High Flying Childrens Entertainment at the Market Place Theatre, Armagh

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The Market Place Theatre in Armagh is set to entertain little ones this Easter with some stunning children’s performances.

‘Egg and Spoon’, on 27 April, is a perfect gentle introduction to the magic of theatre.  It’s an interactive romp through the seasons where children aged 1-5 come in and out of the magic circle and get to open all the gifts of nature. Percy and April get you settled on our comfortable cushions and introduce you to Birdy, still hiding in his glowing egg. We have to wait til Spring if we want to see him, so it’s time to begin our hands-on journey through the year. We’ll run through the rain and the falling leaves and sleep under the snow till the sun wakes us up for the butterfly party.

Then on Tues 30 April, we meet Blaithin and Uncle Rusty in ‘Hatch’, a unique blend of music, comedy, theatre, contemporary and aerial dance. ‘Hatch’ also weaves Irish language and dancing into this wonderful story, creating a new world for young audiences that is interactive and sensory friendly. It is beautifully crafted and exquisitely delivered, full of unexpected and colourful wonders, which invite children to understand the transformational cycles of life, whilst exploring, interacting and discovering new things about the world of caterpillars, moths and butterflies! There is an arts and craft session as part of the performance where children become part of the story as they are invited on stage to begin their adventure! Suitable for 4-8 year olds.

Tickets are available from the Theatre Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre. To keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

Festival fun returns with Ballymoney Spring Fair 

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There’ll be a festival feel in Ballymoney this weekend with the return of the Spring Fair.

Now in its third year, the event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council with support from Local Women magazine, promises to be an unmissable experience for all the family.

Visit the Artisan Market at Castlecroft Square, try have-a-go activities at Megaw Park and view the Old Vehicle Club Vintage & Classic Car Show at Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre before the event comes to a colourful conclusion with a town centre cavalcade and parade.

New this year, Fuse FM will be on hand with an afternoon of outdoor entertainment in Castlecroft Square on Friday 12th April with Ulster Scots yarns, artisan stalls traditional music, balloon modellers and walkabout characters from 11am – 4pm, helping to build excitement for the main event.

Throughout the town centre, look out for in-store fashion events and special promotions in many of Ballymoney’s unique shops and boutiques.

On Saturday, the Spring Fair will open with a ‘Quiet Morning’ for children with additional needs at Megaw Park from 10am – 11.30am with a petting farm and craft workshops to enjoy. Book your place by emailing eventscoleraine@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk.

From 12 noon, members of the public can look forward to a host of free attractions including duck herding, petting farm, pony rides with Riding for the Disabled, horse-shoe demonstrations, inflatables, live music and street theatre.

From 11am-4pm, Castlecroft Square will come alive with Naturally North Coast & Glens Artisan Market selling unique local food and drink items along with quality arts and crafts. Throughout the town, browse the many independent and family-run businesses which help to set Ballymoney apart.

The Old Vehicle Club Vintage & Classic Car Show will be on display at Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre from 10am – 3.30pm when the cavalcade will set off following the colourful carnival parade participants.

For more information on what is happening throughout the day go to www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com. Follow Causeway Coast and Glens Events on Facebook and Twitter and look out for our hashtag #SpringItOn for updates.

10 things to do in Northern Ireland (8 – 14 April 2019)

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  1. Game Of Thrones – The Touring Exhibition, Belfast, 11 April –1 September. Fans around the world will have the opportunity to step inside Westeros and the lands beyond at Game of Thrones: The Touring Exhibition. This all-new exhibition drops fans into the centre of the Seven Kingdoms with an up-close look at authentic props, costumes and decorations from the hit series. Visitors to the exhibition will experience the mystical lands of Westeros and Essos and re-live the struggles faced by the show’s characters.
  2. Belfast Film Festival 2019, Belfast, 11-20 April.  Presenting a huge range of films from across the globe, the festival’s tantalising line-up includes new international cinema and documentaries, critically acclaimed television, features and shorts from local filmmakers, and plenty of post-screening discussions in venues throughout the city.
  3. Hidden Gems Tour, Dungannon, 13-14 April. Explore the ancient roads and lanes with local tour guide, James Walshe, to undercover tales of Vikings, healing sites and holy wells where St Patrick walked, battle sites, castles and fortresses, incorporated with the scenic views along the way. Join the Hidden Gems Tour for an adventure into the secrets of our wild and beautiful landscape.
  4. Troubles Art, Derry-Londonderry, 8-28 April. This powerful exhibition provides a broad representation of responses to the Troubles by a range of artists from Northern Ireland and beyond. The subjects, themes and meanings of the works are diverse, offering the artists’ individual perspectives. Together they evoke a variety of experiences and emotions that reflect the complexity and impacts of this period of history.
  5. Kids Surf Camp, Limavady, 13-14 April. Visitors to the Causeway Coast and Glens region can bring the kids along to surf camp and ride the waves. This is a fantastic opportunity for children between the ages of 6 and 12 years to learn an exciting new sport in a safe environment, with a qualified surf coach and lifeguards.  A great experience for children who want to get out into nature and appreciate the quality of beach life in Northern Ireland.
  6. Spring into Rowallane this Easter Ballynahinch, 13-28 April. This Easter hop along for some fun and spend a wonderful day out exploring one of the most beautiful gardens in Northern Ireland.  Discover the many hidden gems within Rowallane Gardens, make egg box creatures, learn natural crafts or produce your own Easter card. Test your balancing skills with classic egg and spoon races and skip to victory.  Don’t get too competitive; it’s all just good family fun!
  7. Ballymoney Spring Fair 2019, Ballymoney, 12–13 April. Enjoy a fantastic day of festival fun as Ballymoney transforms into a cascade of colours, live music and artisan markets! This year Fuse FM brings an afternoon of outdoor entertainment featuring Ulster-Scots yarns, traditional music, balloon modellers and plenty of photo opportunities with themed characters.
  8. Causeway Coast Foodie Tours – Coast and Country Coleraine, 13 April. Relax and savour the flavours that make the Causeway Coast so unique. The five stops along the beautiful Causeway Coastal route each offer a delicious and surprising taste.  These include sample tasting at the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery, ‘meeting the makers’ at a local farmers’ market and a farm stop to meet award-winning producers and hear the unique stories behind their produce. Eat, discover and take home foodie goodies and see for yourself why this area is food heaven.
  9. Midweek Magic Belfast, 10 April. Feast your eyes on some modern day magic from four local magicians with all sorts of tricks up their sleeve. Enjoy a night of spectacle in the intimate surrounds of the Black Box’s Green Room, with performers showing off their tricks in close up surroundings.  Witness some true local talents with favourites like Caolan McBride alongside ambitious newcomers who will showcase new and innovative material. Be prepared for an interactive and fun filled night.
  10. Titanic Menu, Holywood, 13 April.  Prepare for a unique dining experience, served in a period dining room with views of Belfast Lough from where Titanic first set sail.  Rayanne House’s award-winning Chef Conor meticulously re-creates the first class dining menu which was served on the iconic ship to renowned passengers such as Benjamin Guggenheim and the ‘unsinkable’ Molly Brown.  The sumptuous menu boasts nine lavish courses of gourmet delights from the Edwardian era.

For more information on these events or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit www.DiscoverNorthernIreland.com.


Jacqueline shares her pick of what’s on this weekend acros NI

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Los Dramáticos (Chile, Spain, Ireland) invite you to accompany them on a musical journey through the cultures of the Latin world at the Chamber, Bangor Castle, Friday 12th April.  Enjoy the stunning arrangements of well-known songs played with soul and bravura from around Latin America and Spain on 10-string charango (Victor Henríquez), flamenco guitar (Paddy Anderson) and percussion (Steve Davis and Marty McCloskey) are interspersed with surprising and humorous stories from their personal encounters with Latin music and culture.

Armagh

Build your Easter Bunny with Bear Essentials at the Market Place Theatre this Saturday. Join the Bear Essentials team for this fun interactive workshop where you will choose, stuff and sew your very own top quality Easter bunny and tailor him/her the way you like it. Your new furry companion will receive their very own birth certificate completed by you so you’ll have a chance to name your new Easter bunny ready for taking home just in time for the Easter Holidays. Before you leave you and your new bunny will take part in a very special Easter egg hunt for some yummy goodies!

Fermanagh

Join Bernie Jones on her crazy ‘Dirty Dancing’ themed hen party and get ready to meet her madcap family and friends while you have ‘The Time Of Your Life’. Nobody Puts Bernie in the Corner comes to the Ardhowen Theatre this Saturday 13th April. Suitable for 16+.

Tyrone

Don’t miss the Ultimate Ladies Night this Saturday 13th April at the Kinturk Cultural Centre, Moortown.  There will  live demonstrations by Make up by Julie, Mairead Quinn, Aesthetic 53 and The Klean Kitchen. Spot prizes on the night, drinks reception and a fork supper.  Tickets are £25 available from Boutique 68, online at boutique-68.myshopify.com/ and local shops. 

Derry

Enjoy unique adventure activities at budget prices at the Jungle NI, Moneymore this Sunday!  Similar to a fun-fair, The Jungle’s Family Fun Day  is an open-park day and offers a range of outdoor activities by token. Simply buy as many tokens you wish, exchange your tokens for the activity, or activities, of your preference and enjoy a fun family experience day unlike any other!  Suitable for all ages and abilities – book online today!

Antrim

Explore the Easter trail at Monkstown Wood Newtownabbey, enjoy a chocolate treat and make a crafty animal mask this Saturday 13 April from 11.00am – 3.00pm. £6 per child, £2 per accompanying adult.  Booking is essential – online booking only. Book your place at woodlandtrusttickets.cloudvenue.co.uk/eastermonk. Parking is limited, dogs are allowed on lead. Please note paths are unsurfaced and can become muddy or slippery during wet weather.

Belfast

Join Amanda St John and some of Northern Irelands finest songwriters for a night of music, banter and friendship in aid of The Macmillan Cancer Unit in Antrim hospital this Saturday at the Crescent Arts Centre. Amanda and her band will be joined on the night by some of her great friends; Anthony Toner, Gareth Dunlop, Brigid O’Neill, Matt McGinn and Ciara O’Neill for a night of music and connection with solo sets, collaborations and unique performances of some of your favourite soul songs.

For more details on these events and to add your events free go to whatsonni.com. Follow us on twitter @whatsonNI and on facebook at fb.com/www.whatsonni.com for news, competitions and what’s on near you.  

The greatest showcase this Easter

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As the song says, “ladies and gents, this is the moment you’ve waited for!”

Performer and Producer, Peter Corry, launches the 2019 Rhythm of the Bann Festival with Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Brenda Chivers. The Festival runs 26th and 27th in various venues throughout Coleraine town and more information can be found on www.rhythmofthebann.com
Performer and Producer, Peter Corry, launches the 2019 Rhythm of the Bann Festival with Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Brenda Chivers. The Festival runs 26th and 27th in various venues throughout Coleraine town and more information can be found on www.rhythmofthebann.com

Details for The Rhythm of the Bann festival in Coleraine have been launched.  The two-day programme of musical extravaganza will take place this April on the 26th and 27th in various venues throughout Coleraine town.

The perfect weekend to round off the Easter holidays, will see a number of specifically themed, choral, musical and theatre style performances and shows for all the family. All brought to you under the artful direction of our very own greatest showman, Peter Corry on behalf of the Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council.

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Brenda Chivers said: “Rhythm of the Bann is set to fill Coleraine with song, dance and theatre for what is set to be an unforgettable weekend of unique entertainment. Whether you are a performer or a music fan, the programme will showcase the very best in the sector paving the way for the exciting return of a choral celebration to Coleraine next year. The town has a rich history in this field and we are looking forward to building on this and developing what is set to be a very exciting annual event.”

Peter Corry of Peter Corry Production added, “Rhythm of the Bann 2019 will offer international performance and workshops that will not only be engaging but educational and of a very high standard, with high quality international coaches and performers involved in the festival.”

On Friday evening St Malachy’s Church will be home to three wonderful choirs.  Adoro, Cantemus and Dalriada Chamber Choir.  Adoro has performed at many prestigious events in Northern Ireland including services of thanksgiving for HM The Queen for the Diamond Jubilee and 90th Birthday.  Local Choir Cantemus sing a mixture of ancient & modern repertoire, from Bach to Stopford; Wesley to Parry – and the Dalriada Chamber Choir voices blend beautifully to deliver chilling harmonies, rousing emotions and tapping toes. Local violinist Jasmine Morris, a member of the Ulster Youth Orchestra and former winner of the Robert Lewin Scholarship, will also add to this musical evening.

On Saturday evening, The Showman Is Coming! THE Northern Ireland born but internationally renowned Peter Corry will lead a cast of dynamic dancers, singers and talented performers.  The Showman Is Coming combines the passion of Moulin Rouge, the spectacle of Barnum and the energy of The Greatest Showman, all under one roof at the Lodge Hotel. 

Peter Corry Productions strongly recommends this event is also the perfect opportunity for young people of all ages to get involved with the offer of world class workshops aimed at enhancing their artistic side. These events are of world class standard and not to be missed on Fri 26th and Sat 27thApril. This is also a great way to prepare to take part in next years’ Festival.

“Thank You For The Music” is a workshop in the Town Hall, led by Ashley Fulton who is originally from Magherafelt and one of the top vocal coaches in the UK. Three sessions for a mix of ages and abilities are available.

The Saturday workshop will take place in the Methodist Church Hall and is aptly entitled, “On Broadway”.  Coleraine is proud to welcome Ian Weinberger who is currently the Associate Music Director of the smash hit musical Hamilton on Broadway.  His other Broadway conducting credits include Kinky Boots and Titanic (Lincoln Center). 

The international hit, Hamilton: An American Musical, is about the life of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, and is a multiple Tony, Grammy, Olivier and Pulitzer Award winning show. In the words of a former American President “where rap is the language of revolution and hip hop it’s urgent soundtrack”.

Details of all shows, tickets and how to get involved in the workshops, can be found on www.rhythmofthebann.com

The Rhythm of the Bann Festival will enthuse, engage and stir passion in everyone with a love of music, song and dance. Music to suit all tastes from musical theatre, gospel, jazz and choral to blues, swing, anthems and hymns, and hip hop! Just like the river itself, the Rhythm of the Bann is a blend of movement, music, patterns and flows.

This April, “Let’s be glorious.”

Only in Coleraine, this April, does Hamilton meet the greatest showman.

“So tell me, do you wanna go?”

50 Shades of Fun at the Market Place Theatre, Armagh

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Following phenomenal, sell-out success across the land, ’50 Shades Of Red, White & Blue’ returns to Armagh’s Market Place Theatre on 12 and 13 April. Maggie Muff, Big Sally Ann, Sinead The Greener and Mr Red White & Blue himself promise to have audiences rolling in the aisles with their own brand of muffalicious fun, as we follow Maggie’s laugh-out-loud search for love. 

It all started as a joke when Leesa Harker wrote a Belfast-based spoof of Fifty Shades of Grey. Very soon it went viral and had 29,000 followers! Her Facebook postings had Northern Ireland in fits of laughter.

If we were to say this is a laugh-a-minute evening we would be telling lies – its literally non-stop laughter!

Tickets are available from the Theatre Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre. To keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

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