A LITTLE magic is beginning to brew at Ilkley Playhouse as the school holidays draw to a close and we begin to prepare for our Saturday Greenroom classes, anticipating the arrival of young and old – all eager to learn the alchemy that is acting.

We have been holding classes for children aged eight to 18 for over 40 years, in some cases attracting successive generations of the same family. We love to welcome fresh talent and hope to see many new faces when Greenroom classes start on Saturday, September 10.

The Junior Class runs from 9.30am to 10.30am for potential De Niros and future Winslets aged eight to 11. This age group are blessed with very few inhibitions and throw themselves (sometimes quite literally) into all the exercises - from the warm-up games to clowning, from mask work to serious drama and…the annual production. This year we will be presenting an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland in December and hope to repeat last year’s sell out.

The Senior Class runs from 10.45-11.45am. These 12-18 year olds may still experience some nerves, along with the inevitable struggles of simply “being a teenager” and the weekly fellowship that the Green Room offers – new friends, learning and working together and plenty of laughter – is a refreshing oasis in the midst of school and exams. This year, the Seniors will be featuring in an adult/youth production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on our main Wharfeside stage just before Christmas.

Finally, at noon, the adults arrive – we welcome anyone from age 19 to 119! This is the fifth year the Playhouse has offered Adult Introduction to Drama classes, for those who have always nurtured an interest in drama but never put their toes in the water or who may have a little experience but would like to investigate the theory and practice in a learning environment, without the pressures of an imminent production. This course provides a gentle introduction to acting, directing and the ways of the theatre and is tailored to suit the students.

Previous Adult Class members have gone on to appear in Playhouse productions with great success, and a group of them continue to meet under their own steam. Many of our Junior and Senior Class students have gone on to become successful professional actors, one even currently enjoying a major role in the West End (Danny Horn playing Ray Davies in Sunny Afternoon).

However, you don’t have to become a star to benefit. Drama is a team sport with magical results. Witnessing a shy, tearful eight-year-old transform into a confident, happy performer is truly enchanting. Seeing a reticent teen open up and blossom in the company of like-minded peers – or long dormant dreams finally awaken - this is the sorcery that is acting.

Also on at Ilkley Playhouse:

• Intriguing new writing – with adult themes - from crime writer Bernie Crosthwaite. All We Know of Heaven runs in The Wildman Studio from September 1-3.

• Spine, a one-woman comedy drama charting the explosive friendship between a ferocious, wise-cracking teenager and an elderly East End widow, showing September 8– also with adult themes.

• Agatha Christie’s spine-tingling And Then There Were None opens the New Season on September 14 and runs until the 24th, with a matinee performance on the 17th.

For more information on Greenroom classes or to buy tickets for one of our events, visit our website www.Ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk or phone the Box Office on 01943 609539.

by Vani Midgley