In just over a week and a half, Alan Ayckbourn’s highly popular Bedroom Farce opens for a fortnight’s run on Monday April 28 in the Wharfeside Theatre at Ilkley Playhouse.

Playhouse marketing director Yvette Huddlestone said: “It’s one of Ayckbourn’s most entertaining comedies and has attracted huge audiences since its first performance in 1975 in Scarborough.

“It also marked a significant point in Ayckbourn’s career when Sir Peter Hall invited Alan to direct a production of the play at the National Theatre in 1977.

“The play proved to be the National’s first major popular success.

“Although Bedroom Farce is one of Ayckbourn’s lightest and funniest plays, the intricate and sophisticated comedy deals with one of his most common themes – exposing the cracks in people’s relationships to reveal uncomfortable truths.”

The play is directed by Pam Gresty, assisted by Jim Baker, and the cast includes John and Jacquie Howard, Dermot Hill, Becky Kordowicz, Mark Simister, Kate Dobson, David Kirk and Liz Hall.

On Saturday, April 26, the Playhouse screens Le Week-End on Saturday at 4pm (in association with CineYorkshire). The already popular film features a British couple having a second honeymoon in Paris in an attempt to rejuvenate their 30-year-old marriage. The film stars Jeff Goldblum, Lindsay Duncan and Jim Broadbent. Tickets are £4.

That same evening, the Playhouse Social Committee hosts a quiz night, compiled by David Higgins, and featuring questions on geography, art, radio, songs, music, TV, current affairs, films – and lots of other subjects including astrophysics! Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start. The bar will be open all evening and the £5 ticket price includes a light supper.

Yvette said: “Please note that you need to phone for tickets – they are not available online. David’s quizzes are always very popular – book soon, especially if you want to organise your own table of contestants.”

The next Spring Literary Talk will be on Sunday April 27, featuring Hilary Roper, a children’s author and illustrator. Her most famous book, Macfaddion’s Finest Hour, was published in 1990. It was chosen by the Lancashire Children’s Librarian Association as their entry for the Children’s Book of the Year Award, 1991.

The illustrations were valued by Sotheby’s at over ten thousand pounds. Hilary is currently writing novels and painting large contemporary oil paintings of sweeping landscapes. Her talk should appeal to general readers of any age as well as to potential writers.

On Sunday, May 4, the Fleapit Cinema screening will be Saving Mr Banks, the recent hit starring Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson, revealing the behind-the-scenes negotiations leading up to the making of the Disney classic Mary Poppins.

The screening will be at 2pm (doors open at 1.30pm) with an intermission for tea/coffee and cakes, for a total ticket price of £5. The film will also be shown at 7pm (with no intermission) for £4.

To book Playhouse events call (01943) 609539 from 9.30am-6.30pm, Monday to Friday. For further information and to book online visit ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk.