The Everyman to return on 15 September

Although its doors will have been closed and its stage quiet for six months, the Everyman will re-open on 15 September.

It will re-open without its artistic director however as Julie Kelleher recently announced that she was leaving the Everyman after seven years to take up a position with the Mermaid Arts Centre in Wicklow.

She has been in charge at the McCurtain Street theatre since 2014, and said: “This is a bittersweet moment as I’ve had the great joy and privilege to work with such an exceptional team of people at the Everyman and with such a uniquely brilliant artistic community in Cork. So part of me is very sad to be moving on.”

She added that she is looking forward what “a brilliant new artistic director at The Everyman might bring to the table in Cork”.

Although the Government allowed theatres to re-open from 29 June, The Everyman has remained closed until it is ready to implement effective safety measures for audiences, artists, staff, and volunteers. The Everyman team has been reviewing all work practices and procedures following a survey it conducted in May.

Programming will be impacted by the challenges presented by social distancing restrictions and restrictions on capacity - the current social distancing of 2 metres means the maximum capacity for the theatre’s auditorium is 85.

The theatre is using the current period to finish some very timely upgrades to the building, including a makeover to the public toilets, accomplished through grants from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Cork City Council.

The public health emergency is a serious challenge for The Everyman, as it generates 92 per cent of its income from ticket sales which disappeared overnight in March.

Sean Kelly, Executive Director of The Everyman remains optimistic and excited about The Everyman’s future.

“Although the Everyman has faced grave challenges in recent months, we will soon re-open our doors for our audiences to enjoy great nights at this unique theatre. That we are able to do this is thanks to the support of our community and, of course, the resilience and ingenuity of our wonderful staff.

“Many things about our environment have changed but The Everyman’s commitment to serving its public has not and, together, we can look to the future with excitement and optimism.”

See www.everymancork.com for details.