Upcoming Entertainment at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre in March 2014
Exhibiting in March at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Birr, Co. Offaly – (057) 9122911 / www.birrtheatre.com.
Time
Maura Fahy
Having worked as an art teacher for twenty years, Maura Fahy made the decision to change career and become a full-time artist in 2001. Since then she has developed her own studio “Papillon” in Durrow and has exhibited widely throughout Ireland and abroad. Blending influences from her spirituality with those from nature and with sensitivity and harmony, the inspiration for this exhibition stems from a childhood fascination with the Dandelion flower – it’s shape, softness and it’s magical ability to disappear in a second.
Open Mon-Fri 1.00 – 5.30pm and during performances until the end of March 2014.
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Tuesday 4 March at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Birr, Co. Offaly – (057) 9122911 / www.birrtheatre.com.
Birr Film Club – “Shun Li and the Poet”
Dir: Andre Segre, Italy, 2011, 100 mins, Cert: CLUB, Language Italian.
Starring: Zhao Tao, Rade Serbedzija, Marco Paolini.
Many recent European films have chronicled the social and personal consequences of the recent wave of immigration to Europe but few with such delicacy and insight. Brought to Italy by a “broker” who she is slowly paying off while saving money to bring across her son, Shun Li strikes up a friendship with a fisherman, Bepi, himself a representative of an earlier immigration to Italy. The two came to share a special understanding and their relationship transforms them both. The film takes the essence of an all-too-real situation, refreshingly naturalistic and free of picture postcard tourism. –San Diego Italian Film Festival.
€7/€5/€3
8pm
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Saturday 8 March at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Birr, Co. Offaly – (057) 9122911 / www.birrtheatre.com.
A Practical Guide to Women
By Donal Gallagher & Damian Punch
From first date to final fling, Michael will selflessly share his insight and wisdom on women in this self help lecture for the tragically inept. Michael’s expert analysis comes complete with impractical demonstrations in this darkly comic insight into the psyche of an uncommon Irish bachelor. “real home grown nuttiness” – Evening Echo.
€12/€10
8pm.
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Tuesday 11 March at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Birr, Co. Offaly – (057) 9122911 / www.birrtheatre.com.
Birr Film Club – “Like Father Like Son”
Dir: Hirokazu Kore-Eda, Japan, 2013, 120 mins, Language Japanese.
Starring: Masaharu Fukuyama, Machiko Ono, Yoko Maki, Lily Franky.
Like Father Like Son follows the story of two couples who, when their children are staring elementary school, discover that the children were switched shortly after their birth. Contact is made and they face up to an impossible moral quandary; do they hold on to the boys they have nurtured or switch the children and attempt to reboot family life? This film is not always subtle. Indeed there is nothing in the structure or tone to dispel fears of a lachrymose Hollywood remake. But it manages to be properly sad in a way that only Japanese film-makers manage.
€7/€5/€3
8pm
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Thursday 13 March at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Birr, Co. Offaly –(057) 9122911 / www.birrtheatre.com.
Andrew Maxwell – Banana Kingdom
A hint of LIME productions
Double Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee (2007 & 2011) Maxwell is back with this brand new show. Packed full of fearlessly intelligent topical observations, delivered in his animated and inclusive style, “Banana Kingdom” recently completed a sell-out run in one of Edinburgh Fringe’s biggest venues and a hit run in London’s Soho Theatre. A familiar face on our TV screens, Maxwell has starred in The Panel (RTE), Live At The Apollo (BBC), 8 Out of 10 Cats (Channel 4) and John Bishop’s Only Joking (Sky) amongst others.
“One of the most significant comedians working in the country today” – Independent.
€19
8pm
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Friday 14 March at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Birr, Co. Offaly –(057) 9122911 / www.birrtheatre.com.
Katherine Hunka, Dermot Dunne, Malachy Robinson
Classicallinks
An informal programme of Baroque, South American, Klezmer and film classics will be performed by a trio of violin, accordion and double bass comprising Leader of the Irish Chamber Orchestra violinist Katherine Hunka and the extraordinary player Dermot Dunne, joined by Ireland’s most sought after and versatile double bassist Malachy Robinson for an evening packed with musical gem
€16/€14
8pm
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Tuesday 18 March at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Birr, Co. Offaly – (057) 9122911 / www.birrtheatre.com.
Birr Film Club – “The Broken Circle Breakdown”
Dir: Felix van Groeningen, Belgium/Netherlands, 2012, 100 mins, Cert; CLUB, Language English.
Starring: Johan Heldenbergh, Veerle Baetens, Nell Cattrysse, Geert Van Rampelberg, Nils De Caster, Robby Cleiren, Bert Huysentruyt, Jan Bijvoet Flemish.
Elise and Didier have been together for seven passionalt years. When their little girl Maybelle is disgnosed with a serious illness, all the turning points in their intense and moving relationship seem to flash by. But as the stress of Maybelle’s treatment takes it’s toll, Didier and Elise begin to respond in different ways – their love in threat just when they need it most. A remarkable film in every respect, and one that takes the viewer on a constantly surprising and emotional journey of love, passion, tragedy and joy. Winner – Audience Award, Berlin Film Festival 2013 / Winner – Europa Cinemas Label, Berlin Film Festival.
€7/€5/€3
8pm
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South Pacific
Birr Stage Guild
With Rodgers & Hammerstein’s colourful “South Pacific” Birr Stage Guild presents one of the most popular musicals of all time, in a new production and stunning setting by acclaimed Cork designer Olan Wrynn. On a strategic Pacific island in the closing months of WWII, we meet a company of American marines, nurses, natives and planters amongst whom are “cockeyed” optimist Nellie Forbush, Frenchman Emile de Becque, wheeler-dealer Luther Billis, crafty native Bloody Mary and the handsome Ltt. Cable. Memorable songs such as Some Enchanted Evening, Younger than Springtime, Gonna wash that man right out of my hair and Bali Hai sweep us along through the comedy, romance and prejudice of the story. Previously produced in 1964 and 1985, Birr Stage Guild has yet again assembled an outstanding cast to bring you a night of magnificent entertainment, under the baton of musical director Enda O Connor, with Sharon McNamara director.
Book now for what promises to be another sell-out show.
Sunday: Patrons Nigh €40 / Monday €12 / Tuesday & Wednesday €15 / Thursday, Friday & Saturday €18
8pm
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For further information contact (057) 9122911 or www.birrtheatre.com
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Birr, Co. Offaly
