MUSICALS are always popular at Ilkley Playhouse. This year’s offering really is something to get excited about. From the team that brought you Betty Blue Eyes, Kiss Me Kate and many more, jazz hands are at the ready to welcome Sweet Charity to the Wharfeside Theatre this June.

The names David Kirk (director), Cathy Sweet (musical director) and Ted Oxley-Kirk (choreographer) are enough to sell a musical alone. Give this dream team a fabulous book by Neil Simon, terrific songs by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields, and a tip-top cast, and the production will be one you won’t want to miss.

The headline songs from Sweet Charity will be familiar: Big Spender, Rhythm of Life and If my Friends Could See Me Now. Even so, there’s more to this musical than the show stoppers. Sweet Charity premiered on Broadway in 1966, and helped defined a decade, charting the hope and optimism of the 1960s to the the cynicism of the 1970s. It’s the story of Charity Hope Valentine, a New York dancer. She’s always looking for love but has a habit of falling for the wrong man.The plot pushed the boundaries for characters in musicals, particularly women. It’s a bold, brassy and brilliantly conceived show, and tickets are selling fast. Sweet Charity runs from Monday 4th to Saturday 16th June, with a matinee performance on Saturday 9th.

Calling all dog lovers and haters! You may be in time to get tickets to see Sylvia, in the Wildman until Saturday 12th May. This romantic comedy by A.R. Gurney explores the relationship between a man, a woman, and a dog. Recent empty nesters Greg and Kate have moved to Manhattan from the suburbs. Greg is disillusioned with his career, whilst Kate’s is starting to take off. Greg “finds” a charming mongrel named Sylvia who complicates everything. Greg wants to keep her, while Kate… well, you can imagine. Sylvia, meanwhile, has her own ideas about making relationships work. You’ll wag your tail in glee at the dynamic performance from Sarah Potter, who plays the eponymous Sylvia.

Also coming up is some raunchy, boogie-blues piano playing Dom Pipkin on Friday 18th May, as he brings his Smokin’ Boogie show to the Wildman with his tales of bad boys, bourbon and the Big Easy. He’s got tales to tell and musical magic to make.

Bouncers, John Godber’s most famous and perhaps best-loved play, needs little introduction. Widely regarded as one of the funniest British plays, you’ll surely go home with your face aching from laughter. This crowd-pleaser is brought to you by Bite My Thumb, a travelling theatre company who have given several celebrated productions of Bouncers in the past. Book your tickets quickly, as four supremely talented actors portray dozens of different characters on a typical Northern night out to an electric 80s soundtrack. It’s on Saturday 19th May only, in the Wildman Studio.

Finally, also on the Wildman’s horizon is The Bench, a fringe production from Wednesday 23rd to Friday 25th May. One day, one bench, eight encounters. On a bench in a local park we meet some interesting and worrying charac-ters. All they have in common is that they take a few moments to rest and reflect in the same place.

Tickets for all events and productions can be booked at www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk or by calling 01943 609 539.

by Claire Emmott