London Classic Theatre brings its acclaimed production Humble Boy to the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Wednesday February 11 at 8pm. Following up on last year’s superb production of Abigail’s Party, London Classic Theatre’s Humble Boy is an award-winning comedy with a delightful sting in the tail. Following the sudden death of his father, 35-year-old Felix Humble, a Cambridge academic, returns to his Middle England home and his difficult and demanding mother. After a chaotic funeral, and the disappearance of his father’s prized bees, it becomes clear to Felix that life at the Humble home will never be the same again. Past and present collide with love and uncertainty in this original and captivating play by Charlotte Jones, directed by Michael Cabot.
London Classic Theatre presents Humble Boy at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Wednesday February 11 at 8pm. Booking advised. Tel: 094 9023733.
Halloran brothers in the Linenhall
Mayo’s own Halloran Brothers give a taste of their musical prowess at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Thursday February 12 at 8pm. Newly formed three-piece band The Halloran Brothers from Westport presents an evening of original music and song, described by Liam as “soul/blues with a jazz influence”. Featuring Liam Halloran (guitar, vocals ), Joseph Halloran (Keyboard, drums ) and Michael Halloran (electric bass ).
The Halloran Brothers perform at the Linenhall Arts Centre on Thursday February 12 at 8pm. Booking advised. Tel: 094 9023733
Garrymore drama group present The Country Boy
Garrymore Drama Group brings its production of The Country Boy to the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Wednesday February 18 at 8pm. The Country Boy is a comedy-drama written by Charlestown native John Murphy in the late 50s depicting the west of Ireland rural experience of the time. Over the years the play has become a firm favourite with drama groups and audiences throughout Ireland and beyond. In a small Mayo farmhouse, 25-year-old Curly still lives at home with his parents, but dreams of following his older brother Eddie to the US in pursuit of success, even if it means leaving his sweetheart behind. Only upon Eddie's return home on vacation are truths revealed of hardship, alcoholism, homesickness, and regrets. Performed by Award-winning Garrymore Drama Group, directed by Ger Lynskey, and starring Sean Browne, Ciara Dixon, Rosemary Dixon, Sabina Bell and Enda Conway.
Garrymore Drama Group presents The Country Boy at the Linenhall Arts Centre on Wednesday February 18 at 8pm.
Movie time at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar is running a series of film matinees for those grey Tuesday afternoons. The next screening on Tuesday February 10 at 2.30pm is the 1935 Hitchcock classic The 39 Steps. A Canadian visitor to London unwittingly becomes embroiled in espionage and murder. This classic British thriller, adapted from the novel by John Buchan, was one of Alfred Hitchcock's first major international successes, and is still as engaging as ever. A real classic. Cert: U (UK ), 86 mins
Come and relive the matinee film experience. Further details and booking from the Linenhall. Tel: 094 9023733
Sharon Murphy and John Hoban live at the Linenhall
A highly anticipated double-bill concert by two singer/songwriters with strong local connections, Sharon Murphy and John Hoban, takes place at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Thursday February 26 at 8pm.
Sharon Murphy grew up in Clifden, Co. Galway but spent many holidays in Westport. Sharon describes her music as folk-soul, with a blend of Irish and Caribbean influences. Her songs deal with growing up in an institution as a black Irish woman. A popular performer of many years’ standing, Sharon sings songs about who she is, and where she comes from, finding it easier to express herself through music and song, her stories carried by the eloquence of her music.
Castlebar native John Hoban is a teacher, singer, composer and musician of many years standing. A consummate multi-instrumentalist (fiddle, guitar, mandocello, mandolin, harmonica… ) John also writes and composes his own songs and music. His music is from the heart: honest, open, warm, sad, funny... a true original.
Sharon Murphy and John Hoban perform at the Linenhall Arts Centre on Thursday February 26 at 8pm.
Michael McSwiney exhibition
A powerful and compelling exhibition of recent paintings by artist Michael McSwiney continues at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar. McSwiney portrays a world of abandoned, often threatening, panoramas of land and sea through layered, textured, sometimes ‘abstract expressionistic’ images inspired from memory. “The creative process is somewhat subconscious in that there is no pre-conceived image. The image is almost excavated from applying and removing paint to canvas until the image forms itself; a dialogue between artist and materials. A sense of elusiveness is central to these mood-orientated images, where through alienating colours and strong atmospheric effects, these paintings portray an unnerving picture of nature.” Since graduating from NCAD, Michael has travelled and exhibited widely. He has recently returned to live in Ireland, and is now based in west Cork. The exhibition runs until Saturday February 28.
The Linenhall Gallery is open to the general public Monday-Friday from 10am to 5pm; Saturday from 11am to 5.30pm. Admission to exhibitions is free. Further details from the Linenhall. Tel: 094 9023733 Website: www.thelinenhall.com
