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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.

Latino four-piece Los Dramáticos will bring their ‘Fire In The Blood’ show to Bangor Castle on Friday 12 April for the next Music In The Chamber series of events.

Los Dramáticos formed in 2012 in Teatro Cabaret restaurant on Botanic Avenue in Belfast. Victor Henríquez (Valparaíso, Chile) a charango player and Paddy Anderson a flamenco guitarist (Killinchy, Co. Down) who had long running solo residencies at the venue discovered that their music and the sonorities of their instruments blended well and started to perform weekly concerts there.

Paddy’s flamenco journey began with his apprenticeship (2001-2005) under flamenco guitar masters in Granada, Andalucía where he lived and worked for 4 years and where he returns every year to work on his playing. Victor brings along his expertise on the Andean charango, a ten-string instrument historically connected to Renaissance guitars taken to the South American highlands by Spanish colonisers in the 1700s.

Their ‘Fire In The Blood’ show performed in the beautiful setting of Bangor Castle’s Chamber Room is sure to be an unmissable event.

Tickets cost £12 and are on sale now at: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ardsandnorthdown.

Tickets can also be purchased from North Down Museum or any of Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Visitor Information Centres.

Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre will welcome a new exhibition featuring the works of renowned Irish artists from Friday 12^th April.

The ‘UNTITLED (landscape)’ exhibition is the latest in a series of joint art demonstrations organised by the Department of Finance (DoF) and the Office of Public Works (OPW).

This year the exhibition focuses on the theme of landscape and the 30 artworks from artists including Mark Shields, Mickey Donnelly, Jennifer Trouton and Richard Mosse reflect the variety of this chosen topic. 

The artists were also invited to provide information about their selected art technique for the catalogue which includes painting, printmaking and photography.

Artist and curator Marianne O’Kane Boal will also facilitate an informal talk on the pieces within the exhibition on Thursday 2^nd May from 12pm – 1pm. Admission is free.

The exhibition will continue in Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre until Saturday 1^st June.

Four time world Superbike champion, Jonathan Rea enjoyed his time so much at last year’s fonaCAB International North West 200 in association with Nicholl Oils, he will make a return visit to the event this year.

The Kawasaki rider will take part in a special chat show in the paddock marquee on Wednesday, May 15 at 8pm.

Twelve months ago Rea rode a special lap of honour around the famous 8.9 mile Triangle circuit as the television cameras captured memorable images of the Ballyclare man brushing hands with hundreds of race fans along the coast road. This year his hordes of local supporters will have a chance to hear Jonathan describe how he became the first man in history to win four consecutive WSB titles and his attempt to make it a five timer in 2019.

Jonathan will be joined on stage in the marquee chat show by fellow Northern Ireland WSB racer, Eugene Laverty. The Toomebridge rider has switched to Ducati power with the Team Go Eleven squad for this season after several years with SMR Aprilia. Eugene has also been a regular visitor to the NW200 over the years. The man asking the questions on the night will be BBC NI’s Stephen Watson.

With two big stars on board, seats for this unique chat show will be in huge demand, so don’t miss out on your chance to be there by clicking on the official website  https://www.northwest200.org/

and ordering your ticket today. 

As part of Antrim Live Festival, Ulster Theatre Company present The Long Now by County Antrim born poet Sam Burnside at The Old Courthouse on Saturday 6 April.

Featuring two actors, projections, live music underscore and a soundscaped chorus, The Long Now explores one man’s memories.

Memory is general to all, while memories are unique to each of us.  Memory is shared, but my memories are mine, warmed or cooled, sweetened or embittered with time’s passing.

“I remember as a child being a passenger in a big black car on one dark evening.  I remember sitting low in the front passenger seat, looking up and out through the windscreen, the passing world of tree tops and cloud-filled sky being cut like scenes in a film with that mesmeric rhythm of the windscreen wipers. Do I remember, or do I imagine the sound of the wipers, the warmth of the car and the smell of the smoke of my mother’s cigarette?  I do not know but I imagine I remember the truth of that experience.”

“This entertainment may or may not be true.  Who can say?  Co Antrim in the 1950s is a far-off place.  Yet, this is the honest product of a writer closing his eyes and thrusting his hand into the bran tub of time and memory and hoping.”(Sam Burnside)

Featuring Sam Burnside’s poetic language, The Long Now is an evocative exploration of memory, childhood and hope.

Tickets from Box Office T: 028 9442 8331 or online theoldcourthousetheatre.com

Whitehead Railway Museum is set to host a fun filled birthday party to mark the centenary of the No. 3BG Guinness steam locomotive.

The 1919 engine, appropriately named after Arthur Guinness was built to shunt wagons between the famous Guinness Brewery at St. James’ Gate in Dublin and the nearby Kingsbridge (now Heuston) station. When Guinness closed its broad gauge line in May 1965, No. 3BG became the RPSI’s first locomotive.

Since then, the engine has shunted at Whitehead Excursion Station, worked train rides on the site and spent time hauling passenger trains on the Downpatrick and County Down Railway.

To mark the historic occasion, a birthday party will be hosted at Whitehead Railway Museum on 6^th April 2019 from 12 noon to 4pm. Short steam train rides on the engine will be the main attraction as it will allow visitors to experience the smells and sounds of a steam locomotive, stepping on board a steam train perhaps for the first time. Tickets are required for the train rides and are priced at £2.50 for adults and £2.00 for children. No need to book in advance as they can be purchased on the day.

For ticket holders there will be lots of fun activities throughout the afternoon for young and old to enjoy including balloon modelling, face painting and cutting of the birthday cake!

Big Telly Theatre Company will also be performing five minute pop-up plays at 10.30am,  12.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm throughout the museum, re-enacting the Whitehead train robbery of 1939.  Museum tickets for the plays can be purchased on the day.

Siobhan Dillon, acting General Manager of Whitehead Railway Museum said, “This is a fantastic occasion for the Museum, and we want everyone to feel part of the celebrations. It is not often that you get to enjoy a 100^th birthday party so we want to make it a memorable occasion. We are pleased to have delegates and invited guests join us from across Northern Ireland but want everyone feel welcome. The festivities are set to be a fantastic family fun day out and everyone is welcome to come along.”

The Edwardian Tea Room will be open as usual from 10.15am serving homemade lunches and guided tours will be on offer at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm. For more information visit, https://www.steamtrainsireland.com/

Stendhal Festival has revealed the first musical acts who will be taking to the stage at this year’s installment of the Limavady based, multi-award winning music and arts festival.

Critically acclaimed and globally renowned DJ duo, Basement Jaxx will be headlining on Saturday August 17^th while Friday August 16^th will see Hothouse Flowers take to the Stendhal Stage for headlining duties.

Also on the bill for Stendhal 2019 is a host of phenomenal talents sourced from all over Ireland, the UK and the rest of the world, including; David Keenan, The Lost Brothers, Roe, Mary Coughlan, Ryan Vail and Elma Orkestra, Hunkpapa, Malojian, Amy Montgomery, Marty Mone, Sugarwolf, Cherym, Gemma Bradley, The Swingtime Starlets, Cooks But We’re Chefs, People that listen to the Sky, Blackbird and Crow, Stone Jets, Atticus, Son of the Hound, Bouts, Mob Wife, Sick Love, Transpacifica, BLXXD, I AM MUIR and Molly Hogg

With lots more announcements to come, Ross Parkhill, Director of Stendhal Festival said; “We are really excited how our line-up for 2019 is shaping up.

“Already we have an incredibly strong programme that is varied, eclectic and of a really high standard and we still have a lot more to announce.

He added: “Basement Jaxx will have the whole of Karma Valley bouncing on the Saturday, there is no question about that. They have a huge catalogue of really well known tunes that will no doubt be a phenomenal way to bring the curtain down on what we are anticipating to be another stand out year for the event.

Ross continued: “Hothouse flowers are one of the best loved bands to come out of Ireland and have been revered for a generation and they will certainly be a massive crowd pleaser at the festival this August.”

Ross concluded: “These acts are of course backed up by an incredibly strong line-up right throughout this first announcement. We have several acts form the Republic of Ireland who are making big noises across the border, wonderful acts from South Africa and The USA and as always we have the crème de la crème of our very own Northern Irish talent ready and waiting to steal the show.

“We will be announcing our second and final raft of musical acts and a whole lot more before the end of April, so there is still plenty more to come on what is already one of our finest, if not our very finest line-up to date.”

For more information and tickets for Stendhal Festival, visit stendhalfestival.com

Following their sell out show at Armagh’s Market Place Theatre last year, Northern Ireland’s only 1950s/60s Rock ’n’ Roll band, The Soda Popz, make a welcome return on Saturday 6 April.

Paying tribute to some of the best-loved hits from that fabulous era, this seven-piece, fully costumed band, take you on a nostalgic trip back to the dance hall days with this action-packed, toe-tapping show that has been wowing audiences all over the country!

Featuring the songs of Johnny Cash, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Connie Francis and many more… prepare yourself for an uplifting night of timeless classics for all ages! So fellas, slick back your hair, ladies, put on your best red lippy and rock around the clock. 

‘Classic Rock USA’ comes to the Market Place on 11 April, a heart-pumping, drum-beating, pulsating rock extravaganza featuring over twenty-five hits from Bryan Adams, Jon Bon Jovi and the ‘Boss’ himself, Bruce Springsteen.

You will be taken on an epic journey of all things rock, as the totally awesome cast and band bring down the house with the very best from these three great artists including, ‘Born To Run’, ‘Thunder Road’, ‘Everything I Do’, ‘Summer Of 69’, ‘Living On A Prayer’, ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’, ‘Bed Of Roses’, and many more. Get ready to rock out and party on! 

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.

Vibrant fringe theatre delivers full throttle vaudeville entertainment.

Award winning Big Telly Theatre Company return to Theatre at The Mill with Freak Show on Wednesday 27 March. Never afraid of delivering work that is original and mischievous, if not slightly irreverent, the Portstewart based outfit’s work is always highly entertaining and deeply anchored in the stories, myths and legends of the land, especially the beautiful Causeway coast they call home.

Freak Show is a hugely entertaining blast of fringe-style vaudevillian theatre, inspired by the story of a real 17^th Century giantess from the area called Mary Murphy. She is said to have danced for William of Orange and toured the world as part of a travelling freak show, popular at the time.

The story goes that Mary married a dashing French sea captain who gave up his seafaring life to manage her ‘freak show’ celebrity. But after her years being lauded by international attention, the Portrush giantess eventually died destitute and alone, her celebrity forgotten. Until now.

Artistic director of Big Telly, Zoe Seaton said: ‘Mary’s story made us wonder about celebrity culture today and how the whole business of fame has dark edges and corners. Who is exploiting who, and why? And is it really very different from 300 years ago where people were put on show to be stared at.’

The new piece is devised and written by Zoe Seaton and actor Nicky Harley working closely with Moyra Donaldson. The script uses material from the Newtownards writer’s collection ‘Miracle Fruit’ alongside new pieces written for the show.

Freak Show is an incredible display of physical theatre by two masters of the form – Keith Singleton (Soft Border Patrol/BBC) and co-writer Nicky Harley. The two actors play over 20 characters, itself an astonishing feat of their craft.

It is a fast, absurdly entertaining and raucous piece of theatre that is unique, funny and occasionally uncomfortable. There’s lots of humour in the show but Freak Show walks along a careful tightrope of empathy and emotion never losing sight of its sharp pokes at contemporary obsession with fame and celebrity.

Freak Show premiered at the Belfast International Arts Festival in November 2018 and is on tour throughout March.

Tour dates and venues, and further information at www.big-telly.com

Following on from the sell-out run of his Bald Ambition Tour, Colin Murphy returns to The Market Place Theatre in Armagh on Fri 29 and Sat 30 March, with his new show, ‘Big Time’.

It’s too early to say what the show will be about, but will it be funny? Oh Big Time! Colin is best known for his role as resident panellist on the BBC Northern Ireland comedy show ‘The Blame Game’.

On Saturday 30 March, Blues guitar legend Ronnie Greer plays The Market Place with his powerhouse band, featuring some of the finest musicians in the country, including Anthony Toner on guitar and vocals, and John McCullough on keyboards. Ronnie’s distinctive guitar style, incorporating searing Chicago blues style licks with be-bop inspired jazz lines, has been critically acclaimed as world class. Joining the band as special guest on this gig is Ken Haddock, without question, one of the most soulful and powerful vocalists we’ve ever had on these islands, an artist who really needs to be heard to fully appreciate the impact he imparts to an audience. Expect a night of blues, roots, soul and a little jazz-based music, performed with style and conviction by some of the best in the business. 

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.