Summer Revels!

MUSIC, DANCE, SPARKLE, SONG, SPECTACLE all wrapped up in a BRAND NEW SHOW!

Following in the footsteps of Cork Opera House’s homegrown and much loved Summer Shows through the years, the Summer Revels will be an explosion of COMEDY, FUN, MUSIC, SPECTACLE, SPARKLE, DANCING and LAUGHTER and all you can expect from Cork Opera House’s well established family shows.

The 100% Cork company is led by one of Cork’s brightest lights on London’s West End – Claire O’Leary, fresh from her recent run at The London Palladium in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new Wizard of Oz and following her West End debut in Les Misérables. Claire is joined by Cork theatre icons Declan Wolfe (RTE’s The Den, The Improv Panto), Michael Sands (The Sound of Music, Annie, The Young Offenders) and Trevor Ryan (The Sound of Music).

The 17-strong professional ensemble also includes several Cork musical theatre performers who have been entertaining audiences nationally and internationally for years. Marie O’Donovan (Cork Adult Panto, Hysterical Histories), Thérèse O’Sullivan (Elf: The Musical), Alex Glennon (Disenchanted, West Side Story) and Fiona Kennedy (Sleeping Beauty) are all joined by Bandon’s Alison Arnopp of The Royal Shakespeare Company, who makes a welcome return to the Cork Opera House stage following her acclaimed appearance in Broadway – Cork Opera House Proms 2023. Emerging Cork artist Precious Abimbola makes her professional debut surrounded by this stellar company.

This show within a show will follow the hilarious and haphazard cast of “SUMMER REVELS” perform their show against all the odds – the pompous Director, the star Diva, the accident prone Clown, the Magician with the big idea, the vocal audience members, the talent, the egos, the hilarity and the magic that goes into making a big show when THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

This multi-disciplinary, eclectic cast also features characters from the worlds of circus – with Cormac Mohally (Lords of Strut, Body Brothers), magic – with local psychological magician Daniel Cremin, and music – with musical director Cathal Synnott (Riverdance, Gate Theatre’s Sweeney Todd, Once) leading a versatile band of Dylan Howe (Rowan), Patrick Lynch and Anastacia Beary in the jukebox musical score of pop hits and musical theatre favourites.

The Summer Revels! writers’ room brings together Cork playwrights Katie Holly (Sharon, Crowman) and John McCarthy (Snug, Whale) with award-winning sketch and musical comedian Sally O’Leary (Adele is Younger than Us) and chart-topping podcast presenter Kevin Twomey (I’m Grand Mam).

With a nod to the legendary Summer Revels that lit up Cork Opera House during the 70’s and 80’s, this new show is a Revels for 2024! It’s The Muppet Show meets The Play that Goes Wrong, its Saturday Night Live meets Kiss Me, Kate. It’s PANTO meets SUMMER MUSICALS!

Don’t miss this moment to be part of Cork Opera House’s new Summer Offering. Get your tickets now!

SPECIAL EFFECTS: This production may contain Strobe Lightning, Flashing Lights, Smoke and Haze.

AGE GUIDANCE: Under 16’s must be accompanied by and seated next to a parent/guardian aged 18+

*Performance schedule and times are subject to change and may be affected by illness or events beyond the producers’ or venues’ control.

Performers, dates, times, prices, and fees are subject to change without notice.