Festival hit at Ardhowen

Editorial Department • Published 17 Sep 2009 09:00 0 Comments

See also:

Music is the theme this week at Ardhowen with three of Ireland's top artists talking to the stage. This Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th September the uniquely talented Tommy Fleming, fresh from a huge Australian and European tour will captivate audiences with his wonderful singing voice. Songs include 'Danny Boy', 'From A Distance', 'You Raise Me Up', 'Something Inside So Strong', etc and one or two seasonal songs from his shortly to be released album for Christmas such as 'Oh Holy Night' and 'Silent Night'.

Frances Black performs for her legion of fans this Friday 18th September at 8pm with an array of great songs from her string of best selling albums. An original member of 'Arcady', Frances will be well known to patrons from both her hugely successful 'Women's Heart' concerts and her sell out tours with Kieron Goss.

Hugo Duncan, the popular 'wee man from Strabane' and BBC radio personality takes to the stage this Saturday for a great evening of Country Music and craic. His assortment of guests includes Frankie McBride, Crawford Bell, Farmer Dan, Kenny Archer and Trionagh Moore.

Edinburgh Festival Hit

One of the big successes of last years Edinburgh Festival was a show entitled 'I Miss Communism', which is now touring Ireland and comes to the Ardhowen next Thursday 24th September at 8pm.

I Miss Communism is a new solo show written and developed by actress and writer Ines Wurth, with writing partner and director Mark Soper. The riveting show is a true personal account of Ms Wurth's life growing up in Croatia as a young girl in a Communist country, through the war which ripped Yugoslavia apart, her escape to Los Angeles to start a career as an actress, and her return to her homeland to face the family and the world which has shaped her life. The show has been described by critics as "hilarious, moving and downright disturbing", "frighteningly honest, remarkably insightful", "a real roller-coaster ride, as moving as it is educational".

The show was created in Los Angeles, California, and initially performed in a workshop setting before it moved to New York as a benefit performance for The Reconciliation and Culture Cooperative Network (RACCOON), a humanitarian organisation devoted to addressing the destruction and abuse of war in order to promote a healing process. After rave reviews in New York, 'I Miss Communism' moved back to Los Angeles for additional performances before travelling to Edinburgh, Scotland, as part of the 2007 Edinburgh Festival. Based on rave international reviews garnered in Edinburgh, the show is now being booked for an international tour including cities in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland Italy, Armenia, Morocco, Czech Republic and Croatia.

Ines Wurth was born and raised in Croatia and then moved to London as a teenager and started her acting career. She was a member of Compass Theatre in London where she performed roles such as 'Nora' in 'A Doll's House' and 'Varya' from 'The Cherry Orchard'. Wurth moved Los Angeles to study theatre and film at the University of California, Los Angeles where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She quickly joined the prestigious Zoo District Theatre Company where she continues to perform and write for the theatre. Ms Wurth's television and film credits include The Minority Report, Delivering Milo, Delicate Instruments, The Agency, Sullivan Street and the Cask Of Amontillado.

Ines joined forces with colleague and friend Mark Soper, for the creation of 'I Miss Communism'. Mr Soper is an award winning writer and actor whose affiliations include The Public Theatre in NY, The Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, The Philadelphia Company in Philadelphia and The Grace Players Theatre Company in Los Angeles. His acting credits include a national tour of Tennessee Williams's 'Sweet Bird Of Youth' starring opposite Lauren Bacall, the Obie award-winning production of 'Memories of a Long Childhood' at the Public Theatre in New York, and the critically acclaimed Feedlot at the Circle Repertory Company in New York. He has directed his own play, 'An Age Of Angels' and 'Tantra LA, Parts 1 & 2' in Los Angeles to critical acclaim.

The Show has received some great reviews including;

"...an emotionally charged performance...", "...a compelling story...", "...a focused performance...endearing...", "...moments of high comedy to serious, tear-inducing drama." Thom Dibdin, The Stage

"polished...a slick, energetic, but carefully controlled solo piece.", "all singing, all dancing and winning Miss Wurth keeps up the tempo." Robert Dawson Scott, the Times

"Wurth's life story is worth telling" Maxie Swalwinska, The Guardian

It should be a very worthwhile evening indeed and is suitable for over 14s.

Song And Praise

Next Friday 25th September at 8pm, Enniskillen Youth for Christ presents an evening of praise and worship with a challenging message. The evening features the popular and talented 'Mannafest Band' and guest speaker 'Davy Becket'. It starts at 8pm.

It's Showband Time

One of the true icons of the 1960's and 70's Showband scene in Ireland, 'The Miami Showband' make a return visit to the Ardhowen on Saturday 26th September. The favourite of thousands of fans all over Ireland, the band more than any other embodied the music and style of that era. After a successful reunion in 2005 before a capacity audience in Vicar Street, Dublin the clamour for more encouraged them to go back out on the road touring once again. The show starts at 8pm.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 17 Sep 09

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our What's On archives.