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Armagh Threatre and Arts Centre





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Shows


Karl Spain & Jarlath Regan - ALMOST SOLD OUT
Karl Spain was born and still lives Limerick, but he has travelled in between. He has performed his comedy all over the world. He’s probably best known in Ireland for his TV series ‘Karl Spain Wants A Woman’ which was a huge success in that he not only got huge ratings but he also found himself a woman. Apart from his own series he has also performed stand up on television all over the world - The U.S, Australia and even as far away as England. If you like your comedy smart and relentlessly funny then you’ll love Jarlath Regan. A finalist in the BBC and Channel 4 New Comedy Awards at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, today he is recognised as the ‘one to watch’ in the new generation exciting comedians emerging from Ireland. While Jarlath’s alternative brand of new age Irish comedy has been compared to Dylan Moran and Dave Allen, he has a style that is totally original and sure to have you holding your sides. More

Performances: Friday 25th Jul 2008 - One Night Only at 9.30pm.
Ticket Prices: All seats £13


Poetry Reading with Seamus Heaney - SOLD OUT
For this very special evening of poetry, the John Hewitt Summer School is privileged to present Armagh Ireland’s best-known and most widely respected living poet, Seamus Heaney, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2005. From ‘Death Of A Naturalist’ [1966] to ‘District & Circle’ [2006] Heaney’s poetry collections have been critically acclaimed and feted with numerous awards. There will be a warm welcome for this much-loved Northern poet whose last Armagh poetry reading was over twenty years ago! The Summer School is also delighted to welcome Billy Collins, former Poet Laureate of the United States. A best-selling poet who has done much to demystify poetry for American readers, he has charmed audiences worldwide with his quirky, touching and contemplative poems which have earned both critical respect and popular appeal. More

Performances: Monday 28th Jul 2008 to Tuesday 29th Jul 2008 at 8.00pm.
Ticket Prices: All seats £8


Hugo Hamilton - JHISS Reading
Dublin-based Hugo Hamilton is the best-selling author of ‘The Speckled People’, a prize-winning German-Irish memoir which appeared on the New York Times Notable Books list, and of its equally popular sequel, ‘The Sailor In The Wardrobe’. He is also the author of five acclaimed novels. His new novel, ‘Disguise’, is to be published during 2008. More

Performances: Monday 28th Jul 2008 - One Night Only at 1.05pm.
Ticket Prices: All seats £5


Andrew O'Hagan - JHISS Reading
Scottish writer, Andrew O’Hagan’s first novel, ‘Our Fathers’, was critically acclaimed and nominated for the Booker, Whitbread and IMPAC awards. His other novels include ‘Personality’, which won the James Tait Memorial Prize for fiction in 2003 and the best-seller, 'Be Near Me', which was on the Booker longlist ion 2007. ‘The Atlantic Ocean’, a new book of his essays on Britain and America, is to be published in June 2008. More

Performances: Tuesday 29th Jul 2008 - One Night Only at 1.05pm.
Ticket Prices: All seats £5


Dylan Thomas - Return Journey - SOLD OUT
Directed by world-renowned actor Anthony Hopkins from words by Dylan Thomas, this is an opportunity for audiences to experience the electrifying presence of Dylan Thomas's last lecture tour, the last before the White Horse Pub and the legendary seventeenth whiskey. Kingdom's portrayal of his bardic countryman is tangibly heartfelt; audiences could swear it was the poet himself on stage. Blending the stories and the poetry Thomas takes his audience through Wales, past and present, through the natural world, to the one that lies after under Anthony Hopkins' minimalist direction. More

Performances: Tuesday 29th Jul 2008 - One Night Only at 8.00pm.
Ticket Prices: £10 & £8 (concession)


Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill
Irish fiddle virtuoso and TG4 Traditional Musician Of The Year, Martin Hayes, and American guitarist Dennis Cahill have garnered international distinction for taking traditional music to the very edge of the genre, holding listeners spellbound with their slow-building, fiery performances. They have recorded two critically acclaimed albums together on Green Linnet Records, 'The Lonesome Touch' (1997) and 'Live in Seattle' (1999). Touring throughout the U.S. and abroad, Hayes and Cahill have been universally recognized as a powerful force in the music world, grounding themselves in traditional Irish music while incorporating sensibilities from classical, blues and jazz. Together they have performed in concert halls and performing arts centres throughout the world. Early booking is very strongly recommended. More

Performances: Wednesday 30th Jul 2008 - One Night Only at 8.30pm.
Ticket Prices: £12 & £10 (concession)


Lisa Appignanesi - JHISS Reading
Born in Poland, raised in France and Canada and now resident in England, Lisa Appignanesi is the highly regarded author of ten novels, many of them best-sellers. Among her numerous critically acclaimed non-fiction books are a study of Simone de Beauvoir and an award-winning memoir, ‘Losing the Dead’. Lisa is Deputy Director of the English branch of PEN, the international writers’ organisation More

Performances: Wednesday 30th Jul 2008 - One Night Only at 1.05pm.
Ticket Prices: All seats £5


Chalk & Cheese
Acclaimed stand-up comedian, Kevin McAleer, is a comedy genius and a living legend and writes all his own publicity material! He has been writing and performing for live shows, radio and television for over twenty years, and last May Kevin appeared in Stewart Lee’s ‘Ten Best Stand-ups in the World Ever’ at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre. ‘Chalk & Cheese’ was launched at the Edinburgh Fringe and is an every-day tale of paranoia, delusions, hallucinations and pure nonsense! Ordinary events such as eating out, a visit from the postman, a trip to the airport, can be the starting point for epic mental voyages into the back of his own head. Kevin McAleer’s latest comic persona always grabs the wrong end of the stick in every situation … and hangs on for dear life! More

Performances: Thursday 31st Jul 2008 - One Night Only at 8.00pm.
Ticket Prices: All seats £15


Roisin McAuley - JHISS Reading
Originally from Co.Tyrone, Roisin McAuley began her hugely successful broadcasting career with BBC Northern Ireland before going on to become a reporter with ‘Newsnight’ and ‘Panorama’. She enjoyed great success and popularity as a writer with the publication of her first novels, ‘Singing Bird’ [2004] and ‘Meeting Point’ [2005]. Roisin will read from her forthcoming novel, ‘Finding Home’. More

Performances: Thursday 31st Jul 2008 - One Night Only at 1.05pm.
Ticket Prices: All seats £5


Widow's Paradise
‘Widows’ Paradise’ is set in a caravan somewhere in North Antrim. Five ladies arrive to spend a weekend and they soon discover they have arrived at the wrong caravan when a trio of men return from a fishing expedition to find the ladies encamped. It is now quite late, quite dark and quite muddy so the solution is to spend the night co-habiting in a space divided by a curtain. The return of one of the ladies’ long lost husband and a visit from a local farmer seeking to find his lost bull add to the confusion in this hilarious romp from the pen of Northern Ireland's most popular comedy playwright. Sam Cree creates a laugh every three lines and a belly laugh in every scene of this battle of the sexes which is widely regarded as his best work. More

Performances: Friday 1st Aug 2008 to Saturday 2nd Aug 2008 at 8.00pm.
Ticket Prices: £10 & £8 (concession)


Glenn Patterson - JHISS Reading
Since Belfast-born Glenn Patterson won the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature for ‘Burning Your Own’ [1988], he has had six other acclaimed novels published, the most recent of which, ‘The Third Party’, was praised by Roddy Doyle as ‘intriguing and highly entertaining’. His next novel, ‘Once Upon a Hill: Love in Troubled Times’ is due for publication in late 2008. More

Performances: Friday 1st Aug 2008 - One Night Only at 1.05pm.
Ticket Prices: All seats £5


Crave
With strong vocal melodies, gripping guitars and solid drums Crave hope to present their audience with raw and powerful songs, whilst delivering thoughtful insight to their struggles and search for purpose in life. More

Performances: Friday 8th Aug 2008 - One Night Only at 8.00pm.
Ticket Prices: All seats £5


Film Screening - "Most"
‘Most’ [Czech for ‘The Bridge’] is a beautiful Oscar nominated movie and winner of many prestigious film festivals. It tells the story of the close relationship between a bridge operator [Vladimir Javorsky] and his young son [Lada Ondrej] and the fateful day when both try to head off an impeding rail disaster. More

Performances: Friday 8th Aug 2008 - One Night Only at 8.00pm.
Ticket Prices: All seats £5


Jewels
Gospel music to stir the souls and passions, the band is fronted by three female soloists and backed by a five-strong band with no less than three keyboard players. More

Performances: Saturday 9th Aug 2008 - One Night Only at 8.00pm.
Ticket Prices: All seats £5


Chris Mercer
Female International Gospel singer /songwriter Chris Mercer’s album ‘Whispers Of His Grace’ has gone around the world achieving a Top Ten in the country charts worldwide. Her voice is described as outstanding, sweet, tender and absolutely convincing and she has been awarded ‘Vocalist Of the Year’ for the last two years by NCM Awards. More

Performances: Saturday 9th Aug 2008 - One Night Only at 8.00pm.
Ticket Prices: All seats £5


Les Miserables School Edition
A musical by ALAIN BOUBLIL and CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHÖNBERG School Edition specially adapted and licensed by JOSEF WEINBERGER LIMITED on behalf of Music Theatre International and CAMERON MACKINTOSH [OVERSEAS] LIMITED Performed by an outstanding cast of local young people with a professional team of directors, musicians and designers, the world’s biggest musical comes to Armagh for six hugely - anticipated performances. Based on Victor Hugo's novel set during the French Revolution, ‘Les Misérables’ tells the story of Jean Valjean an escaped prisoner who has since turned his life around, become mayor of a small town and adopted an orphaned child. However the past is still chasing Jean, threatening to destroy the life he has worked so hard for. The musical, which has transfixed audiences for well over 20 years on Broadway and on the West End includes songs such as ‘On My Own’; ‘At The End of the Day’; ‘Master of the House’ and ‘Castle on a Cloud’. Book early as we expect the ‘House Full’ signs to be out throughout the run. The production is kindly sponsored by W&G Baird Ltd. More

Performances: Monday 18th Aug 2008 to Saturday 23rd Aug 2008 at 7.30pm.
Ticket Prices: £12.50 & £10 (concession)


Ardal O'Hanlon
Multi-award winning comedian and actor Ardal O'Hanlon is back on the road, with his stunning stand up show. Following a hugely successful 2007 where Ardal played to sell-out crowds in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA and a hugely popular UK nation-wide tour, Ardal finished up with a stellar Irish homecoming gig and the release of his stand-up DVD 'Ardal O'Hanlon: Live In Dublin'. The star of the hit series ‘Father Ted’, ‘My Hero’ and ‘Blessed’; Ardal's own unique comedy is a spellbinding fusion of off-beat stories and polished material, which make his act an hilarious journey - touched with life enhancing observations and unexpected twists. His sheer originality and talent ensure that there is no other performer like him. More

Performances: Saturday 30th Aug 2008 - One Night Only at 8.00pm.
Ticket Prices: All seats £17.50


The Tailor And Ansty
‘The Tailor And Ansty’ by Eric Cross was first published as a book in 1942 and banned shortly afterwards on the grounds of alleged indecency and obscenity. In the ensuing four-day debate in The Senate, one Senator, who claimed to have read all authors ‘from Rabelais down’, said he had never read a ‘finer collection of smut’. The Tailor, Timothy Buckley, was a great storyteller and he and his wife Ansty used to hold court in their cottage near Gougane Barra in West Cork, welcoming all to their fireside. The Tailor never travelled further than Scotland, yet the breadth of the world could not contain the wealth of his humour and fantasy. His stories on marriages, inquests, matchmaking, wakes and their black cow were told to a nightly packed cottage. When the ban was lifted in 1963, Cross's novel about their life was adapted for stage by P.J. O'Connor and was first performed in The Peacock Theatre, Dublin in 1967. This latest production by The New Theatre is directed by Nuala Hayes, with Ronan Wilmot and Nuala Hayes as the eponymous couple. More

Performances: Friday 12th Sep 2008 - One Night Only at 8.00pm.
Ticket Prices: £11 & £9 (concession)


Jazz Supper Evening with Martello Jazz Band
The Market Place Theatre Jazz Supper Evenings offer the best popular music from the world of jazz accompanied by fantastic food from the theatre's bistro. The music for the evening is provided by The Martello Jazz Band, Ireland's top traditional jazz band, which specialises in New Orleans and Dixieland jazz that is fresh and full of vitality. More

Performances: Friday 12th Sep 2008 - One Night Only at 8.30pm.
Ticket Prices: All seats £17 [Price Includes Hot Supper]


Linley Hamilton In Concert
Linley Hamilton is an enormously experienced musician having worked with Van Morrison, Paul Brady, Eleanor McEvoy, Jacqui Dankworth and Siobhan Petit. He is also a popular broadcaster on BBC Radio Ulster. Trumpeter Linley plays popular, mellow, modern and accessible jazz, featuring music from the American Songbook to appeal to all tastes. More

Performances: Saturday 13th Sep 2008 - One Night Only at 8.30pm.
Ticket Prices: £10 & £8 (concession)


BBC Big Band
Rounding off this year’s Jazz Festival is a rare performance by The BBC Big Band, probably best known for its regular Monday night show ‘Big Band Special’, as well as on BBC Radio 3’s ‘Jazz Line Up’. The Band has played with stars such as George Benson, Van Morrison, Georgie Fame, Tony Bennett, George Shearing, Michel Legrand, Phil Woods, Joe Lovano, Cleo Laine, Lalo Schifrin, Michael McDonald, Bob Brookmeyer and Ray Charles. Regularly featuring at major UK venues and on concert tours with major artists has also taken the Band abroad, in addition to its regular studio and concert recordings. The BBC Big Band recently won ‘Best Big Band’ at the 2007 British Jazz Awards. The Band is conducted by Barry Forgie. More

Performances: Sunday 14th Sep 2008 - One Night Only at 8.00pm.
Ticket Prices: All seats £15


The Counterfeit Blues Brothers
They're 3106 miles from Chicago, they've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and they're wearing sunglasses! They are Ireland’s premier tribute band. Relive the legendary music of Jake & Elwood with this fabulous tribute act and live band. It's one big foot-stompin' hand-clappin' Blues Brothers Party, and everyone's invited! With songs that include 'Everybody Needs Somebody, 'Soul Man', 'Shake A Tailfeather', 'Rawhide' and much, much more. More

Performances: Saturday 20th Sep 2008 - One Night Only at 8.00pm.
Ticket Prices: All seats £14


Jimeoin On Ice
Internationally acclaimed as one of live comedy's masters, Portstewart's own Jimeoin makes his eagerly-awaited tour of Ireland. World-class stand-up, pure and simple. And absolutely no messages - it's all just about having a laugh. Early booking is very strongly recommended More

Performances: Wednesday 24th Sep 2008 - One Night Only at 8.00pm.
Ticket Prices: All seats £15


Buddy Holly & The Cricketers
Following three previous sell-out shows here at The Market Place Theatre, we are delighted to welcome the return of the ‘Buddy Holly & The Cricketers’ show which has been a hit all over the world. This fast, furious and funny rock ‘n’ rollercoaster of a show is guaranteed to have everyone singing along and dancing in the aisles to such timeless hits as ‘That’ll Be The Day’, ‘Peggy Sue’, ‘It Doesn’t Matter Anymore’, ‘Raining In My Heart’, ‘Oh Boy!’ – and many more. Make your ‘Heartbeat’ a little faster with the show that has thousands of fans the world over saying ‘I can’t believe it’s not Buddy!’ More

Performances: Friday 26th Sep 2008 - One Night Only at 8.00pm.
Ticket Prices: All seats £15


The Dead Ringer From Hell
THE MEAT LOAF ROCK OPERA WHERE ROCK AND ROLL DREAMS COME TRUE. Meat Loaf meets the West End in this hellish rock opera that is bringing audiences all across the country to their feet. The musical extravaganza tells the story of a young man who crashed and died in the bottom of a pit in the blazing sun after stealing the devil’s motorbike, ‘The Dead Betty’. The devil admired and took pity on the boy and granted him one wish before sending him out of hell and back to the land of the living. The boy told the devil that he wanted to be the biggest rock star in the world and thus ‘The Dead Ringer From Hell’ was re-born and along with the devil’s daughters, ‘The Dead Betty’s’, as his backing group, he has rocked the world ever since! More

Performances: Saturday 27th Sep 2008 - One Night Only at 8.00pm.
Ticket Prices: All seats £15

The Gate Theatre Presents
Waiting For Godot
To celebrate its 80th birthday, the Gate Theatre is embarking on a unique national tour, which will see its acclaimed production of ‘Waiting for Godot’ play for one night only in 40 venues, throughout the 32 counties of Ireland. The tour, which will also mark the 20th anniversary of this legendary production, will star members of the original cast including Stephen Brennan, Barry McGovern, Johnny Murphy and Alan Stanford. ‘The Gate production is definitive, not just in Irish but in global terms. It is probably the closest we will ever get to the perfect official Godot’ - Fintan O’Toole, The Irish Times More

Performances: Wednesday 1st Oct 2008 - One Night Only at 8.00pm.
Ticket Prices: All seats £20



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