A WILDE WEEKEND THIS Bank Holiday weekend the world’s first annual multi-arts festival celebrating Oscar Wilde comes to town.

‘A Wilde Weekend’, will take place from tomorrow (Friday) until Monday at various venues across Enniskillen and Fermanagh including Castle Coole and Florence Court, Portora Royal School, the Masonic Hall, The Old Gaol within South West College, Forthill Park and The Ardhowen Theatre.

Having spent seven formative years (1864-71) at Portora Royal School, Oscar Wilde was almost definitely inspired by the surrounding lakes, reeds, myths and legends.

A lecture by Will Self, ‘The Socialism of Man’s Soul’, on Friday opens a series of talks and discussions from notable writers, artists and commentators including Neil Bartlett, Eibhear Walshe, Toby Carson, Owen D Edwards, Jarlath Killeen and Heather White.

On Sunday, join prize winning writer Alan Hollinghurst in conversation with Carlo Gebler at The Ardhowen at 2pm, discussing his own personal library and the books that matter most to him. This is followed by a live link up with renowned illustrator, Ralph Steadman, from his studio at 5pm. Possibly best known for his art work in the novel ‘Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas’, Ralph Steadman talks about his own illustrations for ‘Alice In Wonderland’ which received such acclaim when they were published in the 1970’s, gives us a tour of his studio and answers audience questions The Ardhowen hosts the Fable to Fantasy film events featuring Tim Burton’s ‘Alice In Wonderland’ tomorrow at 6pm, Disney’s ‘Enchanted’ on Saturday at 2pm, followed by ‘The Selfish Giant’ at 8pm. On Sunday there will be a showing of the film ‘I Am Legend’ at 7pm and finally Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ on Monday at 11am.

Also appearing at the festival will be some of the best home-grown talent, with Northern Irish actors, Ciaran McMenamin and Stanley Townsend, former Lyric Director David Grant, Paula McFertridge from Kabosh Theatre Company and Festival Associate Sculptor Alan Milligan all taking part.

‘Oscar Wilde at Home’, will see actors perform extracts from Wilde’s most popular texts ‘Lady Windermere’s Fan’ and ‘The Importance of Being Ernest’, Kabosh Theatre Company will be performing ‘The Ballad of Reading Gaol’, at the Old Gaol in South West College and Adrian Dunbar will be directing ‘The Decay of Lying’ in the Morning Room at Castle Coole.

Details of all the festival events can found at www.wildeweekendenniskillen.com and also on the Ardhowen website.

THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD In ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’ Riverbank Productions will transport the audience back in time to the days of legend and heroes. In Sherwood Forest, Robin must team up with Friar Tuck, Will Scarlett and Little John to defeat his enemy the evil Sheriff of Nottingham. Robin steals from the rich, gives to the poor, and wins the heart of Maid Marion.

Enjoy exciting swordplay, fast action, catchy brand new sing-along songs, puppets and humour in this wonderful family show on Wednesday, May 20, with performances at 10.30am and 7pm. ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’ will delight children aged four to nine years and there is a special Family Ticket available for the evening performance.

COLIN GEDDIS Colin Geddis, creator and star of ‘Gedzilla Films’ and ‘The Colin Geddis Show’ Podcast returns to The Ardhowen Theatre Gallery Bar after the sell-out ‘NSFW: Not Safe for Work’ in 2014, with his brand new hilariously inappropriate stand-up comedy show on Friday, May 22, at 9pm.

Patrons please note: as this is stand up comedy, the content as this event may contain material that some people could find offensive and is only suitable for over 18s.

DONAGHADEE MALE VOICE CHOIR The Donaghadee Male Voice Choir performs at The Ardhowen on Saturday, May 23, at 8pm with accompanist Ivan Black and compere Gene Fitzpatrick.

Founded in 1932, Donaghadee Male Voice Choir has over 70 members and its repertoire embraces both sacred and secular music including popular, folk, traditional and operatic works. Robert Wilson MBE, who was decorated for his services to music, has been Musical Director since 1968.

Donaghadee Male Voice Choir’s reputation extends far beyond these shores. It is known internationally having competed in choral festivals as far afield as Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Malta, Poland and Spain as well as in the UK and Ireland, amassing a total of 46 first places. The Choir has undertaken very successful concert tours of Canada and the USA where it performed in Carnegie Hall and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York and has also made numerous recordings.

COMING SOON Conal Gallen has rescheduled his performance of ‘A Bit On The Sunny Side’ for Tuesday, May 26.

Lisa McHugh’s concert on Thursday, May 28, looks likely to be a sell out show and Anthony Toner appears in the Gallery Bar on Saturday, May 30.