THE Ilkley Playhouse Vintage Fair returns on Easter Saturday, April 15. Here retro lovers can browse the wares of 20 independent stallholders, each selling handpicked, quality vintage stock spanning the decades from the 1920s to the 1980s.

“We had 12 stalls here when I put on the first Ilkley fair in 2015, and that has grown to 20 this April,” said event organiser Jill Coulson, of Burley-in-Wharfedale business Alfie Robot Retro. “We’ve seen growing numbers of people through the doors every time too. It’s still one of the smaller vintage events in Yorkshire, and it’s definitely one of the friendliest.”

Vintage treats include glorious homeware, ranging from the classy to the kitsch, including pottery, tins, artwork, typewriters, glassware, kitchenware and enamelware.

Visitors can also pick up unique fashion items, whether it's a 1950s prom dress or something crafted from 1970s crimplene. There will be original suitcases, beautiful vanity cases, and an array of one-off handbags. There’s plenty on offer for men too.

“It’s such a fun vintage fair and a really great day out for families in Ilkley,” said stallholder Trudy Fielding, of Vintage Beau. “It’s the perfect opportunity to find clothes and gifts that are one-offs, rather than the mass-produced stuff that fills the modern High Street.”

As well as the stalls themselves, a hair and make-up expert will be on hand to style visitors, and weary shoppers can retire to the vintage tearoom for drinks and cakes.

Doors at the Ilkley Playhouse will be open from 10am till 4pm on Saturday, April 15, with entry £1 for adults, under 16s free.

April’s a busy month for the Playhouse. As well as the fair, this Saturday we host our regular Stagefright Comedy night. Will Franken is headlining: he offers wily wit with a host of accurate and hilariously drawn characters. He is joined by Nina Gilligan, who’s been likened to a bolshier Mrs Merton. Completing the line-up are Steve Titley and charming newcomer Stu Woodings. In line with the convivial and relaxed atmosphere the bar will be open and the seating informal. As ever, there’s a chance to win a prize in the caption competition. It’s ideal for a group outing, or a smaller affair if you want to laugh the winter blues away.

If you like your comedy on the wry side then Endings, a play by local writer Tim Sturrock, is for you. Meet Steve, who finds himself contemplating the mysteries of midlife misery. His 40s seem to be full of endings: relationships, lives, outdated storage media... As Orson Wells sardonically remarked of happy endings, "That depends on where you stop your story." With tickets at only £5, why not treat your friends for a funny insight into a midlife crisis?

Tickets are selling lightning fast for our next production in the Wharfeside. As it’s an Alan Bennett play, this isn’t a surprise. The lure of the Bennett name, combined with the talented Jacquie Howard directing and a fabulous cast, mean we are expecting Getting On to be a sell-out. As always when Alan Bennett’s the one with the pen, the writing is perceptive, funny, and offers plenty of food for thought.

Getting On tells the story of George, a middle-aged Labour MP with a young family who finds his career going rather better than his personal life. Although highly amusing, it’s certainly not a cosy play, but an exploration of British obsessions, prejudices and institutions. Some nights are nearly sold out already so please book soon to avoid disappointment.

Stagefright Comedy Club is on Saturday 8th April. Endings is on Wednesday the 12 and Thursday the 13th of April. Vintage Fair is on the 15th of April

Getting On runs from Wednesday the 19th to Saturday the 29th of April.

For more information about the Vintage Fair, email Jill at jill@alfierobotretro.com, search “Ilkley Playhouse Vintage Fair” on Facebook, or visit www.alfierobotretro.com.

To book tickets for any of our productions, please visit www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk or phone the Box Office on 01943 609539.

by Claire Emmott and Jim Coulson