FEELING in the mood for something theatrical this weekend? Why not be spontaneous and add to your calendar a visit to Ilkley Playhouse? Even better, this weekend offers a perfect blend of fresh new writing with something from the pen of one of the greats – the balance couldn’t be better!

The fresh and new is our Fringe double-bill of We The Generation and Jess and Joe Forever, which runs from Wednesday 27th to Friday 29th. The former is a cleverly-collated collection of monologues by various writers, loosely arranged around a “millennial” theme. The latter is a moving story with a coming-of-age flavour, telling the tale of the friendship that slowly grows between the eponymous protagonists across successive teenage summers. This double bill contains strong language and is recommended only for audiences aged 14 and over.

Next, the classic, and it doesn’t get much more classic than the Russian master Anton Chekhov. Gun, which visits courtesy of the Shipley Little Theatre touring company on Saturday 30th only, brings together three Chekhov stories, based on a lecture, a heart-to-heart between friends, and an encounter between a widow and her late husband’s debtor.

Tickets for both productions should be available on the door, but book online to avoid disappointment. Both productions take place in our Wildman studio, which offers a less formal, almost participatory ambience, with seating on three sides of the performance area. And, of course, a lively discussion in the bar afterwards is positively encouraged.

So why not make some fresh, spontaneous weekend plans and see what your local theatre can offer?

And if you want to get something in the diary for April, then we have Comedy from Chris Stokes, Danny Deegan, Charlie Maurer and Jack Topher as part of our next Stagefright Comedy night line up on Saturday, April 6th. Chris has supported the likes of Milton Jones and Jason Manford on tour, appeared on BBC Three, Dave’s One Night Stand, BBC Radio 4, 5Live and taken five critically acclaimed solo shows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. More information about this 16 plus event can be found on the Ilkley Playhouse website.

The We the Generation and Jess and Joe Forever double bill runs from March 27th to 29th. Gun is on Saturday 30th only. Tickets for all productions can be bought online at www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk, or by calling 01943 609539 during our opening hours.