Iontas Theatre Event Guide Sept - Dec 2019

Í NTAS THEATRE WHATS ON AUTUMN AND WINTER 2019

MUSIC THEATRE FILM CONFERENCE CAFE-BAR

2

FOREWORD

SEPT TO DEC 2019 AT ÍONTAS ARTS AND COMMUNITY CENTRE Hello and welcome to a new season at Íontas Arts and Community Centre.

Our forthcoming season has something for everyone with the very best in Theatre, Comedy, Music, Visual Arts, local productions, family events, community activities and workshops. Check out the following pages and our website www.iontascastleblayey.ie for more details.

To date 2019 has already been a great year for events and the arts in Íontas and Monaghan. In September we are delighted to host an exhibition of photography taken

by Castleblayney photographer JJ Clarke (1879-1961). Clarke’s life and work will also be the subject of a one act play Dr Jack and a number of site specific street theatre productions ‘The Streets of JJ Clarke’. These theatre productions have been devised as part of Declan Gorman’s Theatre Artist in Residence programme for Country Monaghan.

In addition to our usual mix of high quality events we welcome a brand new film club initiative, Blayney Film @ Íontas. The inaugural season will feature four film presentations from France, Poland, Japan and Iceland, will be preceded by a short introduction and followed afterwards by refreshments.

We are also delighted to announce a Readers Evening event on Friday 27th Sept in association with Monaghan County Library and Blayney Blades. Featuring some of the most vital and acclaimed writers currently producing in Ireland, this will be a fascinating insight into the process of writing & the reading experience. Guests will include Sinead Gleeson (Constellations) and Mike McCormack (Solar Bones) and it’s a free event, so be sure to book tickets early.

Towards the end of November, Íontas will be the rehearsal venue for major Opera music project ‘Elsewhere’. Inspired by the Monaghan Soviet of 1919 this is composer Michael Gallen’s first Opera project and is an international co-production. These rehearsals will precede a ‘work in progress’ concert on 29th Nov in the grounds of St. Davnets where the Soviet occurred.

As ever thank you our valued audience and participants for all your support and the we look forward to having many of you back for the remainder of 2019 for what promises to be a memorable season for all. We are also very grateful to all our partners for making this programme possible.

The Arts and Events team at Íontas.

Í

NTAS

ARTS & COMMUNITY CENTRE

MEETING ROOMS The ideal event space with 8 fully equipped meeting rooms

CONFERENCE Accommodating up to 308 people.

Car parking 280 spaces

EVENT CO-ORDINATOR Our professional team and technical support take care of you

RECEPTION AREAS Converse in our Café, Bar, Gallery or Foyer. Outdoor space available.

OCCASIONS Weddings, Communions, Confirmations, Christmas Parties, Staff Parties, Birthdays, Family Parties & Family Events

Íontas Arts & Community Centre - home to everyone.

Whether you are attending one of the performances at our renowned Íontas Theatre or attending dance class, getting creative in our arts room, catching an exhibition in our gallery space, attending music practice, rehearsals or an afterschool club, learning to cook or using the centre to study after school – everyone is welcome. We are a Conference Centre and are also home to the Gallery Café, Íontas Crèche, and Íontas Day Care. We are proud to facilitate other tenants that also do invaluable work for the community including Castleblayney Library, Blayney Blades, the Moving On programme, Castleblayney Trust, Muckno Community Employment and Castleblayney Gardens.

(042) 9753400/01

www.iontascastleblayney.ie

arts@iontascastleblayney.ie

@iontastheatre

facebook.com/iontastheatre

@iontastheatre

4

SEPTEMBER MUSIC

CHRISTY MOORE Date: Fri 6th & Sat 7th Sept Time: 8pm Tickets: €40

BOTH NIGHTS SOLD OUT One of the most compelling and inspirational musicians Ireland has ever seen, Christy has a universal fan base and still continues to entertain; cementing him as an Irish icon. It is his deep urge to connect with the listener and to transmit the meaning of the songs he sings that has endeared him to audiences of all ages. Christy has released more than 25 solo albums, from Paddy on the Road in 1969 to On the Road in 2017.

MUSIC

PILGRIM STREET Date: Sat 14th Sept Time: 8pm Tickets: €18 Strongly influenced by Bluegrass, Old Time Country and Folk Music, fused with traditional folk songs from this side of the Atlantic, Pilgrim St bring a warm and lively atmosphere to their music and have garnered a glowing word of mouth endorsement from venues around the country with their powerhouse live performances. Drawing from fellow luminaries such as Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie, The Pogues and Bruce Springsteen’s Seeger Sessions outfit, Pilgrim St are about to bring their infectious melodies, harmonies and songs to venues all around the country.

Special guests on the night are Starling Blue.

FILM

SEPTEMBER

BLAYNEY FILM @ ÍONTAS PRESENT

JUST TO BE SURE Date: Wed 18th Sept Time: 7.30pm Tickets: €25 (Season Membership) / €7 When Erwin, a bomb disposal expert in his mid-forties, accidentally discovers that his father is not his biological father his world is turned upside down. As well as tracing his dad he has to juggle his daughters unplanned pregnancy and his aspiring relationship with the sparky local veterinarian Anna, whom, it turns out may or may not be his sister! Presented with the support of the French Embassy and the Institut Français.

MUSIC

SUSAN MCCANN STRING OF DIAMONDS TOUR Date: Fri 20th Sept Time: 8pm Tickets: €25 As part of the Back to Castleblayney weekend Íontas are delighted to welcome back Susan McCann to the theatre.

International Award winning Susan McCann has never left been far away from the spotlight for most of the last 50 years.

String of Diamonds was one of her major hit records, originally released in 1994 and selling over half a million albums. Tonight’s show in the Íontas Theatre will be a unique opportunity for you to hear Susan in fine voice performing a string of her greatest hit songs - ‘The Old Man on the Poarch’ ‘Penny Arcade’ ‘Big Tom is Still the King’ ‘When the Sun says Goodbye to the Mountains’ ’Broken Speed and of course her precious String of Diamonds medleys.

5

6

SEPTEMBER JJ CLARKE PROGRAMME

Íontas Arts are proud to present a programme of work celebrating the life & photography of Castleblayney native Dr JJ (Jack) Clarke. As well as hosting an exhibition of Jack Clarkes photography two specially devised theatre productions based on Clarke and his photography, will be performed. See the programme of activity below for more details.

INTRODUCING JJ CLARKE Opening Reception Thursday 19th Sept, 7pm Date: Thurs 5th Sept until Tue 29th Oct Time: Íontas Centre Opening Hours The JJ Clarke collection is considered to be among the finest examples of early street photography and a superb document of Edwardian Ireland. Taken in the first decade of the 20th Century, these candid photographs capture the ebb and flow of everyday life, a significant departure in photography at that time. Motor cars, parades, seaside activity, doctors, pedestrians, women and children, Jack Clarkes photography teems with activity exuding warmth and compassion for his subjects. The photographs on display are taken from the Clarke Collection donated to the National Library in 2000 by Brian Clarke.

‘All Clarke Collection photographs reproduced courtesy of the National Library of Ireland.’

Supported by the Creative Ireland Programme and Monaghan County Council

SEPTEMBER THE STREETS OF JJ CLARKE

Site Specific Theatre Event Supported By The Arts Council Date: Fri 20th Sept Time: From 5pm – 8.30pm Free Event Location: York Street, Barneys Green, Market House On Culture Night the streets of Castleblayney will come to life as the community celebrates the life and legacy of one of the town's greatest artists, the photographer JJ Clarke. A number of sites will be reimagined by artists, actors and everyone of all ages who cares to join in. Old photographs of Castleblayney will come to life as people go to catch a train or trade wares in the local Market House goat auction. No pressure, but feel free to dress up in Edwardian era clothes (optional). Above all feel free to have a good time. Performances at Lower Commons, Barney's Green and Market House, starting every 25 minutes, so just drop along! All events free. Conceived and directed by Declan Gorman (County Monaghan Theatre-Artist-in Residence) These events form part of the Theatre Artist in Residence programme for County Monaghan 2019 and are supported by The Arts Council, the Creative Ireland Programme, Culture Night and Monaghan County Council in partnership with Iontas Arts Centre, Back To Castleblayney festival and The Garage Theatre.

Dr Jack Date: Thurs 19th Sept Time: 10am (Matinee), 8.30pm Tickets: €10 / 7 Inspired by the photography of JJ Clarke, Dr Jack is the delightful tale of a friendship between nine-year-old Lily and her neighbour Dr Jack, her chance find of his trove of old photographs and the world of wonder that opens when time collapses propelling Lily through a magical doorway into Dublin of the early 20th century.

This beautiful evocation of JJ Clarke's world was inspired by conversations and workshops with children now and with people who remember Dr Clarke when they were children 60 and 70 years ago. Suitable for audiences of all ages

CULTURE NIGHT @ THE SCOUTS HALL Date: Fri 20th Sept Time: From 8pm Free Event Íontas will round off the JJ Clarke celebrations with a very special Culture Night Miscellany in the Scouts Hall from 8pm just opposite JJ Clarkes family home! Expect a night of storytelling, music, recitals and craic at this family friendly and free gathering. Featuring local artists and other guest performers the lineup will be announced in early September.

Culture Night is brought to you by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Monaghan County Council.

7

8

SEPTEMBER MUSIC

THE BON JOVI STORY Date: Sat 21st Sept Time: 8pm Tickets: €29.50 The Bon Jovi Story details the band’s history from their breakthrough album Slippery When Wet up to their present day inclusion into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.

The story is told through live performances of their most poignant and iconic songs, coupled with a series of video montages, and costume/ set changes which replicate the band’s best loved concerts.

What the fans from recent shows said: “Fantastic show from start to finish… vocals and music were outstanding... had a brilliant eve and certainly will go to see these guys again… surpassed all our expectations.”

“absolutely brilliant. My voice was gone at the end of the night from singing along.”

“...brilliant from start to finish.”

THEATRE ONE DAY

Date: Thurs 26th Sept Time: 8pm Tickets: €14 / 12 Starring Monaghan actor Shane Connolly Occupy Galway, the Afghan War, Arsenal, and a house in Cork.

Oneday is a look at a single day's news and a meditation on the link between power and knowledge. Probing and frenetic, the show examines our unravelling and chaotic relationship with the news. Oneday is a wake for our shared understanding of what's happening in the world today.

Can a performer, a drummer, and a writer return us to the reality that inspires the news or is this reality lost forever once an event has passed us by?

This performance will be followed by a Q&A with the writer and performers.

SEPTEMBER LITERATURE

READERS EVENING

NEW VOICES IN CONTEMPORARY IRISH WRITING Date: Fri 27th Sept Time: 7.30pm FREE ENTRY Featuring Sinead Gleeson, Mike McCormack, Elaine Feeney & Ian Maleney and Martina Devlin.

Monaghan County Libraries in partnership with Iontas Arts and Blayney Blades invite you to our Readers Evening event - to promote and celebrate the joy of reading and the authors who fill our days and nights with colour, characters and challenge. If you are an avid reader, an aspiring writer or interested in current affairs then book your ticket for this gathering of minds. We are thrilled to welcome a number of new voices in Irish writing who will share their stories of contemporary writing. We are looking forward to welcoming you to County Monaghan, itself a literary hub for this insightful, thought provoking and relaxing event, but be warned tickets are limited, so get yours today.

To book your contact go to www.iontascastleblayney.ie and click on Theatre. Registration from 7pm with light refreshments.

THEATRE

JOXER DALY ESQ Date: Sat 28th Sept Time: 8pm Tickets: €18 / 16 'From the 1913 Lock Out, to the Rising - and the events of O'Casey's classic The Plough and the Stars - to the birth of a new divided Nationalism, in Juno and The Paycock, we see it all through the eyes of a survivor like no other. Joxer Daly is an ordinary person trying to navigate the difficult waters of what was Dublin in the period leading up to the birth of a Republic.'

Mail on Sunday ★★★★

'Phelim Drew's powerhouse performance as the wild-eyed, shambling figure Sunday Independent

Phelim Drew is convincing as Joxer – the archetypal, gravelly Dub - Sunday Times

Phelim Drew is perfect for the part. He is every inch a Joxer, - Irish Independent

9

SEPTEMBER

10

FAMILY

GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS Date: Sun 29th Sept Time: 2.30pm Tickets: €12 Goldilocks and the three bears, Ruff The dog! and Mr Bunny, perform live in an unforgettable stage production of song and laughter. The popular tale takes a few twists and turns along the way with some new characters and hopefully a happy ever after!

Kids will learn that music can be found everywhere as they sing and dance to classic songs like “Heads shoulders knees and toes”, “If you’re happy and you know it” and “I’m a little teapot”.

MUSIC

With different adventures from each character, fantastic costumes, an amazing set and colourful lighting, this will be an experience for all the family to remember.

In association with Oriel Sailing Club & Comhaltas (Tullycorbett CCE and Ceoltoirí Drumlin)

No Borders Date: Sun 29th Sept Time: 8pm Tickets: €10/€5

Traditional Irish music is a source of connection, of continuity in a time of change and a shared experience that communities can come together in an atmosphere of joy and cooperation. No Borders enables young people from different cultural and musical backgrounds to learn from each other and collaborate through performance over a weekend music and cultural festival.

This will culminate in a final concert with young performing musicians members of Ulster Scots, Drumlin and Traditional Musicians from Leeds U.K. in a collaborative piece of music together with their tutors and renowned guest musicians from the locality.

Supported by the Creative Ireland Programme and Monaghan County Council.

THEATRE

OCTOBER

CROKEY HILL PLAYERS PRESENT

3 HAIL MARY’S Date: Fri 4th & Sat 5th Oct Time: 8pm Tickets: €25 / 22 After spending over 10 years together in the same nursing home it’s time for Mary O’Neill, Mary o’ Neill and Mary O’ Brien to bid farewell to one another. It might be their last day in each other’s company but they decide to celebrate it in style! From nostalgia to comedy and even a few sing-songs it’s going to be on hell of a hooley!!! This rip-roaring Irish comedy is written by Tommy Marren – writer of ‘It’s the Real McCoy’ and ‘Nobody’s Talking To Me’ – and is a must-see!! You might not be on your knees praying but with these 3 Hail Mary’s you’ll definitely be on your knees laughing!

FILM

BLAYNEY FILM @ ÍONTAS PRESENT

SHOPLIFTERS Date: Wed 9th Oct Time: 7.30pm Tickets: €25 (Season Membership) / €7 Winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes 2018, Hirokazu Koreeda’s new film Shoplifters is a subtle and moving drama about the forces holding a struggling family together. Osamu (Lily Franky), his wife Nobuyu (Sakura Andô) and grandma Hatsue (Kirin Kiki) head the Shibatas, a family living just above the poverty line.

When Osamu and his son Shota (Kairi Jyo) take in what appear to be an abandoned little girl, Yuri (Miyu Sasaki), the seams of this brittle and unconventional family begin to unravel.

11

12

OCTOBER MUSIC

AIKEN PROMOTIONS PRESENT

NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL COUNTRY

THE ROADSHOW 2019

Date: Thurs 10th Oct Time: 8pm Tickets: €25 Featuring 20 songs from the hit compilation album 'Now That’s What I Call Country Music' and featuring the sixpiece virtuoso country band The Wagon Wheelers.

This is a journey through the last 100 years of country music where the audience get to pick which songs are played via a giant wagon wheel of fortune - a spinning songbook featuring the country classics from the ‘Now’ compilation.

There will be full audience participation each night where the audience ‘write’ a song with the band drawing on their personal experiences which they share on the night.

This is a laugh out loud, feel good gig with a history of the country song thrown in. The audience will be dancing in the aisles, shedding a tear in tender moments and will leave with a song (that they have co - written) in their hearts. Now That’s What I Call Country Music!

COMEDY

LITTLE ROUND RECORDS PRESENT

CAUGHT IN THE ACT STARRING CONAL GALLEN

Date: Fri 11th Oct Time: 8pm Tickets: €26 Award winning Comedian, Conal Gallen is bringing his brand new Comedy Play, "Caught In The Act", to theatres across Ireland this Autumn. Conal and his son Rory Gallen have teamed up once again and come up with a rib splittingly, fast paced outrageous comedy that will have you laughing out loud.

"Caught In The Act" is a laugh a minute comedy play "filled to the hoozle" with laughter and craic with a bit of mystery thrown in for good measure!

In true Conal Gallen fashion there is always a few surprises thrown in – most of the time the cast get the biggest surprise of all!

Age Recommendation 16+

OCTOBER

MUSICAL

OLSS PRESENT

Date: Wed 16th – Fri 18th Oct

Time: 8pm Tickets: €15 Loserville, the smash-hit musical from London's West End, takes geek to a whole new rock-pop level. It's 1971 and the misfit computer geek, Michael Dork, and his friends are about to change the world. It's just that no one knows it yet. Michael's also discovered a girl, Holly, a prospect (almost) as exciting as his love of binary. If only he had the courage to talk to her! Perhaps things haven't changed that much after all! You would never expect that the geeks would have inherited the world. But they did! Loserville gives us the seventies with a cast of characters that are totally recognizable and a score that's entirely contemporary. Featuring an electric pop-rock score the cast from Our Lady's Secondary School are looking forward to rocking out in a high-octane, no-holds-barred feel-great musical.

FAMILY

RISING STARS PRESENT

THIS IS THE MOMENT Date: Wed 23rd – Fri 25th Oct Time: 7.30pm Tickets: €16 Rising Stars Stage School presents their annual show, 'This is the Moment'. Students will perform numbers from new hit musicals and showcase a variety of dance styles from pop, tap, contemporary and hip-hop. This fun filled variety production is packed with song, dance, drama and music for 3 nights only.

13

AT A GLANCE

S E P T E M B E R

MUSIC CHRISTY MOORE MUSIC PILGRIM STREET FILM JUST TO BE SURE THEATRE DR JACK VISUAL INTRODUCING JJ CLARKE

STREET THE STREETS OF JJ CLARKE THEATRE MUSIC SUSAN MCCANN FAMILY CULTURE NIGHT MISCELLANY

@ SCOUT HALL MUSIC THE BON JOVI STORY THEATRE ONE DAY LITERATURE READERS EVENING THEATRE JOXER DALY ESQ FAMILY GOLDILOCKS & THE THREE BEARS MUSIC NO BORDERS

Fri 6th - Sat 7th Sat 14th Wed 18th Thu 19th Thu 19th - Tue 29th Oct Fri 20th

7

Fri 20th Fri 20th

5 7

Sat 21st Thu 26th Fri 27th Sat 28th Sun 29th Sun 29th

8 8 9 9 10 10

THEATRE 3 HAIL MARY’S FILM SHOPLIFTERS MUSIC NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL COUNTRY COMEDY CAUGHT IN THE ACT – CONAL GALLEN MUSICAL LOSERVILLE FAMILY THIS IS THE MOMENT – Rising Stars MUSIC THE COUNTRY BOY TOUR

– STORY OF GLEN CAMPBELL

Fri 4th-Sat 5th Wed 9th Thu 10th Fri 11th Wed 16th-Fri 18th Wed 23rd-Fri 25th Sun 27th

11 11 12 12 13 13 16

THEATRE

Fri 1st

17

Sat 2nd Wed 7th Fri 1st-Fri 20th Dec Sat 9th Sun 10th

17 18 18 19 19

Fri 15th-Sat 16th Sat 23rd Fri 29th Fri 29th Sat 30th

20 20 21 22 22

O C T O B E R

N O V E M B E R

TOM CREAN – ANTARTIC EXPLORER

COMEDY DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN FILM IDA VISUAL LOSE MY BREATH MUSIC JOHNNY MCEVOY FAMILY BOSCO

ONCE UPON A TIME TOUR THEATRE NOISES OFF by FARNEY PLAYERS MUSIC PREAB MEADAR @ THE TIN CHURCH MUSIC ELSEWHERE @ ST. DAVNETS COMEDY NOBODY PUTS BERNIE IN THE CORNER COMEDY DAVID O’DOHERTY

4 4 5 6 6

AT A GLANCE

D E C E M B E R

MUSIC JIM MCHUGH (ALBUM LAUNCH) FAMILY / HEART OF WINTER SCHOOLS FILM WOMAN AT WAR MUSIC STARLING BLUE MUSIC ABBA FOREVER

Sat 7th Wed 11th

23 23

Thu 12th 23 Mon 16th-Tue 17th 24 Wed 18th 24

PLEASE NOTE DOORS OPEN 20 MINS BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE TIME UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE Please check out our website and Facebook pages for additional events and activities.

These may be included in our programme as the season progresses.

SEATING PLAN M L K J I H G F E D C B A QA

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11

12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14

15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15

16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16

17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17

18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18

19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19

20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

STAGE

www.iontascastleblayney.ie WHY NOT GIVE SOMEONE SPECIAL A

#lovetheatre Gift Vouchers (€5 - €100) are available from Íontas reception and online at www.iontascastleblayney.ie or by calling our box office 042 9753400/401

21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21

22 M 22 L 22 K 22 J 22 I 22 H 22 G 22 F 22 E 22 D 22 C 22 B 22 A 22 QA

16

OCTOBER MUSIC

J&C PROMOTIONS PRESENT

THE COUNTRY BOY TOUR - THE STORY OF GLEN CAMPBELL Date: Sun 27th Oct Time: 8pm Tickets: €25 From the promotions company that brought you the highly acclaimed Carpenters Story starring Kim Dickinson and such well known country acts as The Three Amigos.

J and C Promotions is proud to present ‘Gentle on My Mind, The Glen Campbell Story’, starring master guitarist and wellknown country music personality, Ciarán Rosney with his 5 Piece Band, Featuring such well known musicians as Billy Burgoyne (ex-Daniel O’Donnell) and fiddle player extraordinaire Denise Boyle.

The show will take you on a truly amazing journey with some of Glen Campbells best known hits, From Rhinestone Cowboy to Wichita Lineman and unique to this show will be Ciaran’s unrivalled interpretation of Glens guitar playing abilities.

The show will also include state of the art video projection with tasteful lighting and a full live music experience.

NOVEMBER THEATRE

PLAY ON WORDS PRESENT

TOM CREAN – ANTARTIC EXPLORER Date: Fri 1st Nov Time: 8pm Tickets: €19 / 17 Tom Crean, the intrepid Antarctic explorer and one of Ireland’s unsung heroes, is brought to life in this dramatic and humorous solo performance by Aidan Dooley. Hear the riveting true stories of Crean’s Antarctic explorations as one of the few men to serve with both Scott and Shackleton and survive the three famous expeditions: Discovery, (1901 – 1904); Terra Nova (1910 – 1913); and Endurance (1914 - 1916).

Crean’s story is a testament of human fortitude against all the elements of the Antarctic, his 36 mile, solitary trek to base camp during the Terra Nova expedition to rescue his comrades Teddy Evans and William Lashly has been described by Antarctic historians as “the finest feat of individual heroism from the entire age of exploration”. He was subsequently awarded the Albert Medal for his bravery.

This multi-award winning show has now played critically acclaimed sell-out performances through -out Ireland, USA, Australia, Europe and the UK.

COMEDY

ROBERT KELLY PRODUCTIONS PRESENT

DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN Date: Sat 2nd Nov Time: 8pm Tickets: €26 Have you ever wondered why men can't multitask, or why women can’t change a tyre? Wonder no more!

Professional stand-up comedian, and one of the busiest Irish headline acts on the circuit, Tom O’Mahony brings his energetic and brilliantly funny persona to the stage to take the audience on a unique comedic journey that brings the house down with every performance.

Using psychology, sociology and plain old observational comedy, Defending the Caveman highlights the battle of the sexes – the stereotypical and yet, undisputedly true differences between men and women.

17

18

NOVEMBER FILM

BLAYNEY FILM @ ÍONTAS PRESENT

IDA Date: Wed Thu 7th Nov Time: 7.30pm Tickets: €25 (Season Membership) / €7 A young postulant about to take her vows in post-war communist Poland takes a journey to meet her only surviving relative. Through her encounter with her unorthodox aunt and her brief affair with a passionate musician, she is forced to ponder what life she may want to lead in future.

Award winning film by acclaimed Polish director, Pawel Pawlikowski.

VISUAL ARTS

ÍONTAS ARTS PRESENT

LOSE MY BREATH

A SOLO EXHIBITION OF NEW WORK BY ORLA MEEGAN GALLAGHER Exhibition Reception Friday 8th Nov, 7.30pm Date: Fri 1st Nov until Fri 20th Dec Time: Íontas Centre Opening Hours Orlagh explores through her work the mesmerising draw of water, with fluid reflections, distortions and intensity of colour all playing out on the canvas reflecting the artist’s own inner life. Regret Will Come creates soundscapes using vocals, guitar, synth and drum machine, both in response to Orlagh’s artwork and to his own personal interpretation of the theme, which in turn inspires Orlagh’s work…Like water itself the project is utterly fluid, the result, a visual and audio collaboration. For the immersive sound experience please ask at reception.

NOVEMBER MUSIC

JOHNNY MCEVOY Date: Sat 9th Nov Time: 8pm Tickets: €30 Johnny McEvoy has always been highly acclaimed for his excellent shows and his recent nationwide concert tour received a huge response from his legion of fans. This nostalgic evening of 'Song and Story' features many of Johnny's Hit Songs, including Muirsin Durkan-Boston Burglar-Those Brown EyesLong Long Before Your Time etc. plus songs from his new album. His songs are haunting, evocative and beautifully presented, with many in the folk and ballad style. Johnny McEvoy has been one of the most enduring and talented singer/songwriters in these islands over the past 50 years. His concert performance is second to none with songs beautifully delivered in truly artistic fashion with story-telling of the finest order. This a full evening with Johnny McEvoy. No support.

FAMILY

LAMBERT THEATRE COMPANY PRESENT

BOSCO

ONCE UPON A TIME TOUR Date: Sun 10th Nov Time: 2.30pm Tickets: €12 or €40 family of four Bosco is Bosco, not a boy, not a girl, just a Bosco: a cheeky, lovely, funny, slightly-cracked, irrepressible, eternal five-year-old who lives in a box and who loves nothing more than to just be Bosco and meet all the boys and girls. After starring on Irish TV for three decades, you'll see why Bosco remains a firm favourite for each new generation.

Enjoy the enchanted story of Sleeping Beauty where an evil Fairy-Knight filled with jealousy tries to harm Beauty but luckily she has very good fairy friends. With its brilliant array of characters, lots of fun and excitement through this completely interactive live experience with the absolute magic of Puppet Theatre.

19

20

NOVEMBER THEATRE

FARNEY PLAYERS PRESENT

NOISES OFF

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF FARNEY PLAYERS PRODUCTIONS Date: Fri 15th & Sat 16th Nov Time: 8pm Tickets: €15 / 13 Farney Players celebrate 10 years on the boards this year with Micheal Frayn's 'Noises Off'. The play takes a fond look at the follies of theatre folk, whose susceptibility to out-of-control egos, memory loss, and passionate affairs turn every performance into a high risk adventure. This play -within-a -play captures a touring theatre troupe's production of 'Nothing On' a farce in 3 three stages: dress rehearsal, the opening night, and a performance towards the end of a debilitating run. The play gives us a window into the inner workings of theatre behind the scenes, progressing from fluffed lines and missed cues in the dress rehearsal to mounting friction between cast members in the final performance. Brimming with slapstick comedy, Noises Off is a delightful backstage farce which will leave you rolling in the aisles.

MUSIC

OFFSITE

ÍONTAS ARTS PRESENT

PREAB MEADAR

@ THE TIN CHURCH

Date: Sat 23rd Nov Time: 8pm Tickets: €15 Iontas Arts and Preab Meadar presents ‘Rhythm and Rhyme’, an extraordinary traditional music performance of toe tingling dance songs, that will have your feet twitching and lips humming. Veteran traditional music innovators, Lorcán Mac Mathúna and Daire Bracken, combine with sean nós dancers, Liam Scanlonn and Caoimhe Ní Mhaolagáin, to create a mesmerising feast of rhythms; a conversation of voice and fiddle, and traditional dance.

A “stunning and incredible” collection of dance-songs matched with specially choreographed dance steps; this performance presents an exciting and visually gorgeous combination of vocal and instrumental, and dance traditions.

Intrigued? Well wait till you see and hear it!

Performance in St Peters Church Laragh. Limited Capacity.

NOVEMBER MUSIC

21 OFFSITE

ELSEWHERE @ St. Davnets Date: Fri 29th Nov Time: 8pm Elsewhere is a new large-scale opera/ music-theatre work by composer Michael Gallen based on the story of the 1919 Monaghan Asylum Soviet. Cocommissioned by Cie Miroirs Étendus, the Opéra de Rouen-Normandie and Creative Ireland, the opera will also be co-produced in Ireland by Michael’s new music-theatre company, Straymaker, with the support of the Arts Council and the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris.

The Monaghan Asylum Soviet of 1919 was the first of its kind to occur outside of the newlyestablished Soviet Union, taking place in a small Irish town only a few miles from what was soon to become the problematic border between northern and southern Ireland.

Dealing with themes of utopia, fantasy and madness, Elsewhere explores the other worlds that exist at the frontiers of imagination. The events that inspire this new work took place at a time much like our present, when new lines – both ideological and geographical – were being drawn on the political landscape in Ireland and further afield. This story, told from the perspective of a patient, weaves its way between the rational and irrational, the real and the imaginary, interrogating the lines that separate them. What does it mean to border, to be bordered, to transgress?

A work in progress concert will be staged on 29th November in St. Davnets Church.

Appropriately located on the grounds where the Monaghan Asylum Soviet occurred in 1919.

Ticket sale and further information to follow in September / October.

Michael Gallen is an Irish composer, writer and performer. Originally from Castleblayney recent work includes Wilde Stories, a suite for the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Cór na nÓg; What You Forget, an Ireland 2016 commission for Monaghan County Council and various collaborations with Company Philip Connaughton, dancer Colin Dunne and The Crash Ensemble. His first full-scale opera entitled Elsewhere will premiere in France and Ireland in 2020/21. Michael is the lead vocalist and songwriter with Irish band Ana Gog and performs as a solo pianist under the moniker Sudden Wells.

He is the Artistic Director of new opera/ music-theatre company STRAYMAKER.

22

NOVEMBER THEATRE

NUALA & NOELEEN PRESENT

NOBODY PUTS BERNIE IN THE CORNER Date: Fri 29th Nov Time: 8pm Tickets: €21 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!” Bernie is a single mother to her stroppy teenage daughter and from her living room runs an ironing service called “Let’s Get Steaming.” When Bernie’s long-suffering driving instructor pops the question she reluctantly agrees and sets the date! Will she make it down the aisle or will she discover her real-life Johnny Castle? This high energy, hilariously funny comedy show features 90’s disco classics and some iconic songs from Dirty Dancing!

If you’re crazy for Swayze and fancy a bit of salsa in your Karaoke, then join Bernie Jones for a wild night of fun and laughter and let’s get this party started!

COMEDY

LISA RICHARD PRESENTS

DAVID O’DOHERTY Date: Sat 30th Nov Time: 8pm Tickets: €20 / 18 ULTRASOUND The hairy Enya is delighted to perform at Iontas Arts Centre with a brand new show made up of talking and songs played on the plastic keyboard he got for his Confirmation.

Once again, he will try to fix everything that is wrong in the world.

SPOILER ALERT: once again he will fail.

DECEMBER MUSIC

JIM MCHUGH (ALBUM LAUNCH)

Date: Sat 7th Dec Time: 8pm Tickets: €12 Local singer songwriter, Jim McHugh will take to the Iontas stage for his 'My Nuclear Radio' album launch. This show will include a full band line up and will blast out the recent singles 'Marjorie', 'Avenue Road' and 'Everything's Cool', all for which have received repeated national radio play and rave reviews.

FAMILY

LYNGO PRODUCTIONS PRESENT

HEART OF WINTER Date: Wed 11th Dec Time: 10am Tickets: €5 (Teachers go free) suitable 3+ Heart of Winter is Lyngo's magical new musical show which warmly celebrates family, friendship and the good fortune of finding the winter we really need and want… with the precious festive offering of lots of fluffy snow!

FILM

BLAYNEY FILM @ ÍONTAS PRESENT

WOMAN AT WAR Date: Thu 12th Dec Time: 7.30pm Tickets: €25 (Season Membership) / €7 Halla is a music teacher who leads a quiet, routine life. She is also a covert environmentalist who disrupts the operations of an aluminium plant in the Icelandic highlands by committing acts of industrial sabotage.

When she receives an update on a long forgotten adoption application, she must choose between her activism and her dream of becoming a mother…

23

24

DECEMBER MUSIC

STARLING BLUE

Date: Mon 16th & Tue 17th Dec Time: 8pm Tickets: €20 Starling Blue are Patrice Doherty Hannah O Brien Liebe Kelly and Louise Steele. Their unique accapella vocal sound along with an array of instruments has gained them much attention over the last number of years. Their concerts bring you on a rollercoaster of emotions as they harmonise their way through many eras of music. Listeners are treated to stunning solos, rich ingenious harmonies, and banter throughout.

After their summer concert in Iontas, Starling Blue are delighted to return with their successful Christmas show "A Starling Blue Christmas" this December.

The girls are looking forward to performing a festive programme along with bringing back a few firm favourites from previous concerts. Preceding the concert join us for a festive mulled wine and mince pie reception to get everyone into the Christmas spirit.

Tickets On Sale Wed Sept 18th from 10am

MUSIC

TOMMY SWARBRIGG PRESENTS

ABBA FOREVER Date: Wed 18th Dec Time: 8pm Tickets: €22/20 Following sell-out tours around the country, Abba Forever comes to Cork. The smash hit show celebrates ABBA’S music with a loud and proud production featuring audio visuals of original ABBA moments on a giant screen.

Expect a dazzling, fantastic performance of Abba’s most iconic hits including Mamma Mia, Waterloo, Dancing Queen, S.O.S, Money, Money Money, The Winner Takes All, Gimme Gimme, Gimme and many more!

Get your glad rags on, brush up on those lyrics and don your dancing boots – it’s the perfect way to kick off your Christmas celebrations! My my, how can you resist this not to be missed ABBA show!

It’s the perfect way to start your Christmas celebrations! Bring your special Christmas Party along (Small or Large) and you will have a ball!

DECLAN GORMAN:

THEATRE ARTIST IN RESIDENCE 2018-2019 Jointly hosted by Íontas Arts Centre and Garage Theatre, Monaghan and funded by the Arts Council and Monaghan County Council, the County Monaghan Theatre Artist in Residence Programme has been extended by 3 months to November thanks to additional support from Creative Ireland.

Declan Gorman’s artistic philosophy revolves very much around community and social engagement. His residency has proven fruitful both for his own practice, as he has developed new ideas and scripts for performance, and for the diverse communities in Co. Monaghan with whom he has been working. Here we look back over a few highlights from Declan’s year with us.

NETWORKS Declan contributed to two Monaghan Arts Network events, one as solo performer, the other as interviewer where he conversed with visual artist Kate Beagan and composer Michael Gallen about their work. He also presented an autobiographical talk and performance at the invitation of the Castleblayney Drama Festival CABARET AU REVOIR Conceived and performed by Declan, a satirical entertainment at Íontas café on March 29th, the day upon which Britain was originally scheduled to exit the EU. With design by Orlagh Meegan-Gallagher, and guest appearances by The Two Five One’s, Cantemus Choir, dancer Lorcán Murphy, and the Castleblayney Players.

ID/NOW Following initial workshops with Monaghan Youth Theatre in December, 16 adults in Monaghan and a further 16 in Castleblayney took part in a two-month series of drama workshops exploring our shared borderlands identity. Great fun and immense creativity. The residency will conclude with a follow-on series of workshops in both Garage and Íontas in October – open to existing and new members. See venue Facebook pages for details.

JJ CLARKE PROJECT As a precursor to our upcoming Culture Night festivities, Declan worked with over 90 children in four Blayney schools in Nov-Dec, encouraging these young artists to respond to JJ Clarke’s photos! As outlined in this brochure, Declan’s contribution to the JJ Clarke programme culminates in September with his play for family audiences ‘Dr Jack’ on 19th and the fabulous outdoor event, “The Streets of JJ Clarke” on 20th.

Monaghan County Council Comhairle Chontae Mhuineachaín

WORKSHOPS THEATRE: Fusion – Performing Arts Youth Groups (5 – 18yrs) Every Friday for young singers and performers.

Contact: 089 4376319 @fusioncastleblayney

CREATIVE ART: Lantern Making (Free Workshops) (7 – 18yrs)

Thursday 12th Sept 4.30 – 6.30pm Saturday 14th Sept 11am – 1.30pm Create Lanterns to form part of an illuminated procession (20th Sept).

Contact: 042 975 3400 @iontastheatre

CREATIVE ART: Art Society Group with Iontas

Weekly Wednesdays 7pm – 9pm. Monthly directed, weekly self-directed.

Contact: 042 975 3400 @Iontastheatre

MUSIC: Muckno Singers. Join and perform!

Weekly Wednesdays 7.45pm – 9pm.

Contact: 087 9208043 @muckno.singers2014

DANCE: Irish Dancing with McMahon School (+3 years) Mondays 5pm – 6.30pm Contact: 087 2469606 @McMDance

MUSIC: Brass Instruments with Bernard O’Connor Weekly Mondays 7pm – 9pm Contact: 086 0462424

MUSIC: Piano Lessons with Aubrey Bustard Weekly Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays.

Contact: 086 2205446/042 9665647

MUSIC: Traditional Music Lessons with Francis In association with Tullycorbet Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Weekly Fridays 4pm – 6pm Contact: 087 2895396 @tullycorbetcomhaltas

CREATIVE COOKING: Darina’s Delicious Delights Various classes & skill levels.

Usually Tuesdays & Thursdays from 4.30pm Contact: 086 1225228 @darinasdeliciousdelights

CREATIVITY & ENVIROMENT: Farm to Fork

Weekly Saturday gathering at Castleblayney Community Gardens.

Various workshops and courses for all skill levels.

Contact: 042 975 3421 @castleblayneycommunitygardens

CREATIVE INSPIRATION: Beginners Yoga

with Prema Modern Wellness Weekly Thursdays, Gentle Yoga (Hatha Vinyasa) 7pm – 8pm Contact: 078 94558363 @premamodern

27

COMING UP IN 2020 3rd Jan Pat Shortt

18th Jan The Fureys 24th Jan Declan Nerney 2nd Feb Derek Ryan 14th Feb Under The Hawthorn Tree 15th Feb Sharon Shannon 28 Feb - 7 Mar Castleblayney Drama Festival 13th Mar Farmer Michael & Kathleen 21st Mar Neil Delamere

BOOKING INFORMATION: OPENING HOURS

Mon – Fri 10am – 6pm Show nights from 7pm or 1 hour before performance

DROP IN

ÍONTAS Conabury, Castleblayney, County Monaghan A75 HK09

(042) 9753400/01 www.iontascastleblayney.ie arts@iontascastleblayney.ie facebook.com/iontastheatre @iontastheatre @iontastheatre

IMPORTANT INFORMATION •

•

• •

•

Latecomers will be admitted during the first available break in a seated performance where possible.

Please note €1 box office admin fee will apply for all tickets sold. This is included as part of the advertised price Please notify box office staff on any special requirements or assistance you may need when booking.

A loop system for those with hearing difficulties available at the theatre. Please check with our staff when booking.

Unfortunately once purchased tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded.

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE

Be the first to hear about new and upcoming events, offers and exhibitions visit www.iontascastleblayney/mailinglist