High Society comes to town

Ilkley Players have added musical theatre to their programme this season and Cole Porter’s High Society opened on Monday. Ticket sales suggest it was a long-awaited return as many performances are sold out – check box office for details. Director David Kirk has been delighted with the positive reaction to the decision to include High Society. “There is no doubt that there is an appetite for the musical here in Ilkley and the surrounding areas and it has been worth all the hard work to receive such enthusiastic support.”

Based on the 1939 classic stage comedy The Philadelphia Story, the musical features a plethora of well-known songs such as Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, Let’s Misbehave and Well, Did You Evah! The plot surrounds wealthy pretentious socialite Tracy Lord who is planning a June, 1938 wedding to an equally pretentious executive when ex-husband C.K. Dexter Haven arrives to disrupt the proceedings.

Additional comic complications arise when tabloid reporter Mike Connor, who is there to cover the wedding, also falls for the bride-to-be. Choreography is by Ted Oxley-Kirk and the Musical Director is Cathy Sweet. High Society runs until Saturday June 13 - phone the box office on 01943 609539 or book tickets online- www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk

The cast of High Society in rehearsals last week.

Meanwhile there will be mid-summer laughs in the Studio

It’s straight into comedy-mode in the Wildman Studio as the next Stagefright Comedy club takes place on Saturday June 20. Headlining the event is Justin Moorhouse who is previewing his Destiny Calling tour which he will be taking to the Edinburgh Fringe in August so grab the chance to see him in Ilkley first.

Also on the agenda is Rob Mullholland, one of the fastest rising comics in the North. Rob describes himself as “as a very odd man who is much less creepy than he looks.”

Relative newcomers Rivka Uttley and Raj AC complete the line-up with Anthony J Brown making a welcome return as compere for the evening. Tickets £12.