Brigit 2022
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It was a week of good news: first, we were told coronavirus restrictions would be lifted, then we were told that our matron saint, Brigid, would finally be elevated to a full-on national holiday. This year, the day off will come straight after St Patrick’s Day, but there’s no reason not to go ahead and party. Brigit 2022 is not a misspelling - it’s a celebration of the original Celtic goddess, but also a celebration of women. Brigit was associated with creativity and wisdom, and Tuesday’s programme of events is an array of inspired ideas, the highlight of which is the Spring Rise Brigit 2022 concert at the Round Room in the Mansion House (7.15pm) featuring Imelda May, Felispeaks, Sibéal Ní Chasaide and Tolü Makay. That’s booked out, but there are any number of other events in a packed day, including podcasts, screenings, talks, walking tours celebrating amazing women in history and great artists and muralists, and the Herstory Light Show, a spectacular illumination which will light up Trinity College (5.30-8.30pm) and the GPO (8.30-10pm). “Brigit 2022 seeks to bring women’s history and heritage as well as women’s stories and voices to the fore and showcase them,” said Dublin’s Lord Mayor Alison Gilliland.
Into the Woods
February 3rd-27th, Lyric Theatre, Belfast, Tuesday-Sunday, 7.30pm (Saturday and Sunday matinee, 2.30pm), £15-£35, lyrictheatre.co.uk
Stephen Sondheim’s musical mash-up of Grimm’s fairy tales is among the composer’s most-acclaimed works, and Northern Ireland Opera is going into full-on musical fantasy mode, bringing Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Cinderella to life on stage. Cameron Menzies directs this tale about what happens when you’re not careful what you wish for. The musical was adapted into a Disney blockbuster starring Anna Kendrick, James Corden and Meryl Streep, but believe me, nothing will equal the magic of seeing the phantasmagorical spectacle unfold right there in front of you. Sondheim died last November aged 91, so this will double as a fitting tribute to a great composer and lyricist.
Simply Red
Wednesday February 2nd, 3Arena, Dublin, 8pm from €56, ticketmaster.ie
In his Christmas message to fans, Simply Red’s leader Mick Hucknall pledged to fulfil all the band’s dates postponed in 2021 due to coronavirus. “Only government legislation will prevent us from performing our music on tour with you. So ONWARDS!!! to a better New Year and see you all at the shows!! (Can’t wait to get the pipes warmed up in January!).” True to his word – and with the Government’s blessing – Hucknall is bringing his Blue-Eyed Soul tour to the 3Arena on Wednesday, and performing all the hits, which, in case you’ve forgotten, include Something Got Me Started, Fairground, Stars and Holding Back the Years.
Bjorn Again
Saturday February 5th, 3Olympia, 7pm, €31, ticketmaster.ie
The world’s most famous Abba tribute band is now so huge it’s become a brand, and, like Riverdance, has tentacles around the world, with several Bjorn Agains on the go at the same time. It doesn’t matter who’s in the incarnation that’s coming to Dublin on Saturday – rest assured they’ll look and sound just like the Swedish pop legends, and will deliver the hits we know off by heart by now. But things have changed since the band played the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in 2019. Bjorn Again have a new rival in 2022: the original Abba, who have reunited and released a new album, Voyage, and will be launching their Abba: Voyage virtual tour this spring, featuring hi-tech avatars of Bjorn, Benny, Agnetha and Anni-Frid. Look at it this way: for true fans of the fab foursome, there’s no such thing as too much Abba.
Fern Brady: Autistic Bikini Queen
Saturday February 5th, Liberty Hall, Dublin, 8pm, €20, ticketmaster.ie
The Scottish comedian had an unusual entry into the business. She started off writing comedy reviews, and when her magazine editor suggested she try out a stand-up routine and write an article about it, she found she liked it so much she ditched the notebook and picked up the mic on a permanent basis. Since then she’s made quite a name for herself with her unique, fearless routines, and she’s been regularly seen on The Russell Howard Hour, Live at the Apollo and 8 Out of 10 Cats. She also presents a BBC podcast, Wheel of Misfortune, where she takes celebrity guests through some of the most embarrassing moments in their lives. Brady’s new stand-up show, Autistic Bikini Queen, will no doubt be informed by her diagnosis of autism and her time working as a stripper to put herself through college.
David McSavage
Sunday February 6th, 3Olympia, 8pm, from €31, ticketmaster.ie
Everyone’s looking forward to getting out and doing stuff now that restrictions are lifted, but some are feeling a sense of trepidation, as this also means caustic comedian David McSavage will once again be let loose on the stage. McSavage has spent his lockdown time using his Instagram page as a sort of “online gym” to hone his ascerbic wit and tone up his comic muscles, and anyone who signs up to his Patreon can access McSavage’s homemade sketches on Instagram. His new stand-up show, Thanks in Advance, will cover such topics as “cold sea swimmers, chirpy Dubs, gardaí, horny swans, creepy neighbours, exes, rude baristas and wokesters”.
