Tickets for Patrick Kielty selling well

At the time of writing, the performance was already three quarters booked out – so fans looking for tickets are requested either to go online as soon as possible www.riversidetheatre.org.uk or call Riverside’s staffed box office during opening hours on 02870 123 123 to ensure they get a seat.

Patrick hasn’t played Riverside before so this promises to be an exceptionally special performance – although fans are reminded that the show is suitable only for the over-18s, as it contains adult themes and humour.

As Riverside has already pointed out, the emphasis in its autumn and winter programme for 2012 is very much on comedy and laughter.

And next week, on Saturday 25th, the theatre is looking forward to welcoming a Belfast ensemble, also for its first appearance in Coleraine. The Southbank Theatre Company will be presenting one of the funniest farces of the 70s, Absurd Person Singular, by Sir Alan Ayckbourn.

More mature readers will remember with affection the first time this comedy was presented in Riverside, which was in the Theatre’s 1977 opening year. It starred Zeph Gladstone and William Lucas – two big TV names of the time who, respectively, played leading roles in ITV’s Crossroads and Black Beauty.

The show is set in three different houses on three different Christmases during the 70s, with three married couples going through every possible trauma you can think of – from adultery, to failing businesses and would-be-suicide.

And if you think – well that doesn’t sound like ideal material for a farce – you couldn’t be more wrong! The play is a guaranteed laugh-a-minute and is one of Ayckbourn’s most enduring pieces of work.

Music in Riverside

And to kick off Riverside’s Music programme for the new season, the Theatre is delighted to welcome back one of the most popular acts in Ireland, The Illegals – or as RTE has dubbed the band, “the Rolls-Royce of Irish Rock”. The band has entitled its new show, A Common Thread Anyone who has seen and heard this band will appreciate their accomplished and exciting tribute to the music of the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac - and the extraordinary effect these two great bands had on the music of the last 40 years.

The band features the vocal talents of Irish Eurovision winner, Niamh Kavanagh - probably the best female vocalist in the country.

Niamh has a had a brilliantly successful year at theatre in Dublin, on RTE and with her own show - but you’ll see at her at her very best in the Illegals as she and the band belt out a superb set of songs from the Big Two, including Hotel California, Dreams, Desperado, Go Your Own Way, Lyin’ Eyes, Hotel Rhiannon, Peaceful Easy Feelin’, The Chain, Heartache Tonight and others.

A Common Thread is a brilliant night of vocal harmony, ringing acoustics and rockin’ guitars featuring timeless classics from Poco (Rose of Cimarron), Linda Rondstadt (You’re No Good), Neil Young (After The Goldrush) and others - as well as all the usual favourites from the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac.

Having crafted their sound for almost 15 years, The Illegals serve up a great night of unforgettable songs and a bit of craic!