Singing along for 20 years!
There was a mix of nostalgia and excitement this week as The Everyman Sunday Songbook celebrated 20 years while announcing a cracking line-up for 2023.
The shows have become a firm favourite with Leeside audiences down through the years for their vibrant mixture of music, story, memory, and singalong.
Kicking off this year’s series is The Swinging Sixties on 16 April. This was the first show the team brought to The Everyman stage when it re-opened to restricted capacity audiences in October 2021 and returns due to popular demand. The show will feature all things ‘60s, with music from Cilla Black, Dusty Springfield, Mary Hopkin, Cliff Richard, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, and of course, The Beatles.
Jumping back a decade, the summer show on 9 July will be Boppin' at the Drive-In: The Fabulous 50s, followed by Sweet Caroline: The Neil Diamond Story on 8 October, and The Greatest Christmas Songs Ever on 3 December.
The Sunday Songbook team has evolved down through the years currently comprises Damian Smith, Alf McCarthy, Alan Carney, and founding member Linda Kenny, with Alf also taking on MC and narrator duties.
Speaking about the series’ 20 year milestone, Linda says she could never have envisaged the it still going strong after 2 decades.
“We have made so many friends, been touched by the love and kindness and unstinting support not only of those who come to the shows but of the truly remarkable team at The Everyman, our spiritual home. I am so very grateful,” said Linda.
Asked about the most memorable shows on The Everyman stage, 2 stood out for Linda: “The first was our showband tribute featuring the late great Declan Ryan and the wonderful Michael Twomey as our MC. It was a few months prior to his death and Michael had been very unwell. In the days leading up to the show, he wasn't sure if he would be able to do it. That evening, towards the end of the show, as Declan belted out the Huckelbuck to the delight of the capacity audience, Michael turned around to me on stage, caught my hands, and said ‘I made it!’. It was a very special moment for him, and I was utterly thrilled for him and so in awe of his fortitude and determination.
“The second was the first show after Michael had passed on. It was so difficult to make that transition without him. Alf McCarthy was joining our team and it was important to be so respectful to both Alf, and to Michael. The show was We'll Meet Again: The Story of Vera Lynn set against the backdrop of the second World War, her songs were so emotional anyway and the story itself tugs at the heartstrings but, performing this, with all that extra layer of heartache for us personally was probably one of the most difficult shows I have had to do.”
Tickets for this year’s The Everyman’s Sunday Songbook series are now on sale at Everymancork.com where full programme details are also available. Tickets can also be purchased at the box office or by calling 021-4501673.