The month of August will see Armagh city’s two biggest entertainment venues come to life with a variety of events to suit every age and interest.
Bring the kids along to an inventive re-telling of one of the most beloved Brothers Grimm tales, bring the family along for the best in jazz performed by the most up and coming young musicians or join Maisy and her ‘Wish Dragon’ Bomba on a Vietnamese adventure!
The adult audience will enjoy another hilarious offering from playwright Sam Cree; an evening with most highly acclaimed Irish performers; twists, turns, shock and surprise in a darkly comedic thriller or win big and have a blast at one of Armagh City Hotel’s top attractions.
The month culminates with a ‘side-splitting’ stand up session from four top comedians at The Market Place Theatre.
Little Red Riding Hood
“Oh Grandma, what big eyes you have!”
A curious young girl weaves her way through the wintery woods to her grandma’s house. A journey full of surprises… A playful and imaginative re-telling of the timeless Brother Grimm’s story.
Suitable for children aged 3-11 years.
Market Place Theatre, Armagh
Saturday August 5, 2023
2pm
£8.00
Click here to purchase tickets
Games of the Past
As part of their Lughnasa celebrations, enjoy a packed afternoon of family fun on August 5 at Navan Centre and Fort, Armagh as we explore the Games of the Past!
Discover how the Celtic clan would have used games as a fun way to train their young warriors in the art of battle and meet some of our greatest warriors and hunters.
Hone your warrior skills in the assault course, crawling under hessian sheets, dribbling a ball around a series of posts, balancing the ball and striking at a target. Learn how hurling would have been a training method to strengthen the arms before moving on to wielding a sword. Discover how to hunt for your own food in Celtic times by using a spear and throwing a javelin!
The Games of the Past event takes place from 1pm – 5pm but if you would like to extend your visit, we are also offering a special guided foraging tour at 11:30am for an extra £5 per person (bookable separately).
Navan Centre and Fort, Armagh
Saturday August 5, 2023
1pm – 5pm | Family £32.50 | Adult £11.00 | Child £7.50 | Concession £9.25
Click here to purchase tickets
Strictly for the Birds
Muriel and Herbie Glover and their daughter Susan enjoy life in the domestic setting of a wee terraced house somewhere in Belfast. Their neighbour, Lily Dodds, calls in quite frequently for the loan of a wee cup of sugar or a wee drop of tea to keep her going. Herbie keeps pigeons in his loft in the back yard and has collected quite a few cups from racing his birds across the continent. All is bliss, except for the lady next door, who insists on putting out her washing just as the pigeons are returning from their exploits.
When Muriel and Lily learn that they share a sweepstake that has drawn the favourite in an impending horse race and are likely to win a considerable sum of money, Muriel’s mother, who lives in Cherry Valley, descends on the household with the threat that life will never be the same again for the hapless Herbie.
Blending the customary pot-pourri of Cree characters, the play races along to the inevitable conclusion but not before audiences are treated to a hilarious evening of comedy and mayhem that are the hallmarks of Sam Cree’s writing.
Market Place Theatre, Armagh
Saturday August 12, 2023
8pm
£15.00 | concession £12.00
Click here to purchase tickets
Jazzlife
MOBO nominated drummer and composer David Lyttle started out in the band of Irish guitarist Louis Stewart, and has gone on to bring his projects to almost forty countries, including recent tours to North Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. He has worked with jazz icons from Joe Lovano to Dave Liebman to Kurt Rosenwinkel and collaborated in hip hop with Talib Kweli and spoken word with Liam Neeson. He has carried out a number of ambitious artist residencies, including a US coast-to-coast road trip performing for subcultures ranging from bikers in California to UFO tourists near Area 51.
Closer to home, David is the artistic director of Jazzlife Alliance, an Arts Council of Northern Ireland funded talent organisation which mentors gifted young musicians and launched the innovative Jazz Juniors scheme for under 18s in 2021. His return to the Market Place will see him perform alongside many of these up-and-coming young talents.
Market Place Theatre, Armagh
Saturday August 19, 2023
7.30pm
Family £25.00 | full ticket £10.00 | children £5.00
Click here to purchase tickets
Ireland the Show
Now seen by a live audience of over 250,00 to nightly standing ovations and rave reviews, join us for ‘Ireland The Show’! Featuring an all-star Irish cast of the Emerald Isle’s most talented award-winning performers, accompanied by the fabulous Keltic Storm Band and world champion Gael Force Irish dancers from Kerry, Mayo and Clare. This unmissable production will take you on a journey through the decades of a globally loved culture.
The show, which has received high acclaim, will feature all the well-known ballads and foot stamping singalongs from the legendary ‘Pogue’s, Furey’s, Dubliners, Makem and Clancy”, to name but a small few. Add to that a string of hilarious stories and jokes from our award-winning Tyrone comedian and topped off with energetic reels and jigs from our fiddling Derry maestro and the supremely talented vocals of our Keltic voice from Donegal! If it’s all things Irish you like, then this is certainly the show for you. Guaranteed to take you to Ireland and back in one night!
Market Place Theatre, Armagh
Thursday August 24, 2023
8pm
£25.00
Click here to purchase tickets
Maisy’s Adventure
Day dreamer Maisy is a passionate explorer who loves embarking on adventures and dreams of travelling the world one day. On researching Vietnam in her geography project in school, she becomes fascinated with visiting a country so rich in tradition. One night, while Maisy and her book worm friend Kim are together, a Wish Dragon called Bomba appears granting them a wish that will transports them to the unknown.
Inspired by her experience working and living in Vietnam for the first half of 2023, the director intends to bring to life the culture, sounds and colours from this amazing country. From the terraced rice fields of Sapa, to bustling Hanoi city to the lantern lit town of Hoi An – come and join Maisy on her Vietnamese adventure!
Market Place Theatre, Armagh
Thursday August 24, 2023
7pm
£10.00 | child £7.00
Click here to purchase tickets
Deathtrap
In this acclaimed dark comedic thriller, washed-up playwright Sidney Bruhl hasn’t written a successful play in years and money is getting tight. But when Clifford, a student of a creative writing course he’s teaching, comes to him for advice on a script he’s written, his prayers are answered. Sidney recognises the script immediately as a sure-fire hit and his ticket back to Broadway success. The only issue is, does Clifford want to share the credit… and what will Sydney do if he doesn’t?
Holding the record for the longest-running comedy-thriller on Broadway, and nominated for four Tony awards including Best Play, ‘Deathtrap’ will keep you on the edge of your seats. Full of twists and turns, shocks and surprises, you will be holding your breath until the very last moment.
Please note, this show is not suitable for children under 12 as it contains violence and limited use of strong language.
Market Place Theatre, Armagh
Friday August 25, 2023
8pm
£15.00 | concession £13.00
Click here to purchase tickets
Bingo Loco 90’s Show
The world’s wildest Bingo Party is coming to you with a new unique 90s themed show!!
Get ready 90s lovers! Bingo Loco are going to transport you all back to everyone’s favourite era… the 90s! Dance the night away under the best 90s tracks and with all of the new friends you’ve made and sing your way home with some ridiculous 90’s themed prizes that will have your nostalgia flowing!
In 2023 Bingo Loco have given away holidays to Vegas, Rome, Prague, Palma, New York, Munich, Malaga, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Budapest, Barcelona, Bali, Alicante and Amsterdam and you could be the next big winner!
Armagh City Hotel
Saturday August 26, 2023
Doors: 6.30pm | Last Entry: 7.45pm | Show Ends: 11.00pm
£21.00
Click here to purchase tickets
The Stand-Up Session
The Market Place Theatre Stand-Up Sessions continue to have audiences rolling in the aisles with another evening of side-splitting comedy genius.
Ian Thomson has been performing stand-up comedy since 2017 from Ireland to as far away as New Zealand. With his absurdist take on everything from politics to parenthood, Ian has established himself as a force on the NI comedy scene, appearing alongside some of the biggest acts on the local circuit.
Andrew Ryan’s quintessentially Irish storytelling abilities and cheeky, friendly demeanor make him a natural stand up. He has performed to rave reviews and sell-out crowds at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival over the last decade as well as appearing in numerous TV comedy appearances.
Luke McGibbon has been performing stand-up on and off for the guts of a decade, in between stints as a psychotherapist. One job for talking, one job for listening! Luke’s whimsical sense of humour has entertained many up and down the country.
Bronagh Diamond has made a big impression on the Northern Irish comedy scene since she started. With a penchant for random tangential rants, this self-professed ‘ambassador for crazy people’ has the stage confidence and attitude of a pro.
Recommended for age 16+ as may contain strong language and adult themes.
Market Place Theatre, Armagh
Saturday August 26, 2023
8pm
£16.00
Click here to purchase tickets
