The Ark, Eustace St, Dublin Jan 30-Mar 7 10/8 www.ark.ie 01-6707788

The Ark is teaming up with multi-talented actor Louis Lovett (pictured left) and acclaimed director Lynne Parker for its first show of 2010. Lovett, who is well known on the Ark stage (Beware of the Storybook Wolves, A Picture of Me and Annabelle’s Star, to mention but three), will also become the children’s cultural centre’s first theatre maker in residence for 2010.

The enigmatically titled The Girl Who Forgot to Sing Badly was written by young Tasmanian playwright, Finegan Kruckemeyer, and we’re told that it aims to show how “it takes a girl- sized human to solve an adult-sized problem”. Public performances begin this weekend. It’s suitable for ages seven and over.

Meanwhile, Lovett’s residency will include outreach in schools and communities, actor training and teacher training.