Theatre returns to the West Cork islands this summer with the West Cork Fit-Up Theatre Festival bringing drama offshore!
The Fit-Up Theatre festival brings the best of modern theatre to small venues on the islands, and the performances throughout July and August are always enjoyed by islanders and visitors alike.
The festival gives local audiences and visitors a great opportunity to see fantastic actors and productions in intimate West Cork venues.
The West Cork Fit-Up Festival, now in its twelfth year, will bring plays to Heir, Bere, Sherkin, and Whiddy islands in 2022, with comedy and thought-provoking drama on offer in an exciting and thought-provoking programme.
Tickets for all performances must be pre-booked. To reserve your tickets, please contact the West Cork Fit-Up Theatre Festival Box Office: 087 607 6745 (10am-5pm) phone only – no texts please.
Indigestion and Around the World on 80 Quid will be performed as part of a double bill.
Fit-Up Theatre Festival – Island dates 2022
Indigestion – Seamus O’Rourke
The story revolves around a Cavan man who is shipped off to London at the age of 17… goes through bouts of depression, obesity and anger issues…finds and loses love, comes back to Ireland to more misfortune and mayhem and yet has hope. This is a story where laughter and tears join hands and race us through forty years of a life, not much different to our own. This is Seamus O’Rourke doing what he does best – storytelling.
14th July, Whiddy Island | 19th July, Heir Island | 23 July, Bere Island
Around the World on 80 Quid – Aindrias de Staic
Divilment, debauchery and near- death experiences.
Loosely based on a true story, this performance by award-winning storyteller and musician Aindrias de Staic recounts the journey of an Irish violin player as he wanders across the globe through musical genres, divilment, debauchery, and near- death experiences until he eventually finds himself and the music of his soul at the end of the road.
Behind the laughs and music is the story of one man’s addiction and how he battles cleverly to overcome it.
14th July, Whiddy Island | 19th July, Heir Island | 23 July, Bere Island
Victor’s Dung – Seamus O’Rourke
Comedy sees Cavan farmer confront life’s big questions
Seamus O’Rourke’s mad, galloping tale of cantankerous Cavan farmer, Victor Maguire and the ghosts of his past, present and maybe future. It’s full of philosophy for beginners – it’s smeared in sadness, but there’s lots of accidental joy. If only we could win a prize.
16th July, Bere Island
Wake – Irene Kelleher
Lily is not your typical mourner.
At her mother’s wake Lily suffers her way through the sea of Auntie Rachel’s sandwiches, cousin Aileen’s juicing recipes and Aoibheann’s woodland theme wedding plans, until an old face from her past arrives, and she decides not to let the night that’s in it thwart her plans.
22nd July, Sherkin | 26th July, Heir | 29th July, Whiddy | 30th July, Bere
The Parish – Michael Ryan & Seán Kelleher
Two friends want a new life but upset the whole parish in the process.
The Parish is a hilarious light comedy in which two actors bring to life a range of characters that can be found in every rural community.
2nd August, Whiddy Island
Performances will be in a large tent with open sides, so please dress for the Irish weather. Masks or face-coverings must be worn on arrival and departure from the venue.
Special ferry trips are scheduled around these events to give mainland visitors the opportunity to enjoy the Fit-Up Festival on the islands. Why not call out for a great evening of entertainment?
The Fit-Up Theatre Festival is part of a packed Summer on the Islands programme which features events across West Cork’s seven inhabited islands. For full details of what’s on, venues, and ferry times, check out our events calendar.