Ilkley Playhouse

by Caroline Mutton

WE are sorry to announce that our production of Frost/Nixon scheduled to open on January 13th is now cancelled. Sadly, the current Covid situation has affected our plans to run this production. We are all very disappointed but circumstances beyond our control have resulted in this decision. If you have already purchased tickets a member of the Box office team will be in touch regarding refunds. We apologise for any inconvenience.

However we have plenty more plays and events to look forward to at Ilkley Playhouse in the coming weeks. Firstly, we have a fantastic line-up at our next Stagefright Comedy Club on Saturday, January 29th. The evening will be frontlined by Shazia Mirza who has been top of the bill at comedy venues all over the world and has a vast array of TV credits including Have I Got News For You, QI, Top Gear, The Jonathon Ross Show, The One Show, Loose Women and many more. ‘She guarantees laughter with her biting deadpan observations’. Her fellow performers include Britain’s Got Talent Grand Finalist Micky P Kerr. Fusing together music, spoken word and comedy, with his tongue often planted firmly in his cheek, Kerr has been described as the Yorkshire successor to John Cooper Clarke. Joining them is Matty Oxley, described as ‘a natural story teller with razor sharp lines, quick wit and a strong ability to control the room’. Also featuring is Sarah Johnson who was voted Best Midlands Comedy Breakthrough Act in 2017 as well as a receiving a nomination for Best New Show at Leicester Comedy Festival. Last but by no means least is Kyle Kraze who has been described as ‘a great comic who will have the audience in the palm of his hand throughout.’ The evening will be compered by Anthony J Brown.

Let us then take you back in time with Matt Hartley’s moving, funny, nostalgic and charming play, Here I Belong. The play celebrates village life, companionship and community whilst highlighting the challenges faced by people living in rural areas. It’s Elsie’s 90th birthday and she is celebrating in the village where she has lived all her life. She has seen wars, weddings, elections, funerals, people coming and people going. Here I Belong tells her story over six decades. From 1953 to 2016, Elsie’s life, relationships and the right to grow old in her own home is played out on stage. The play originally toured in 2016 and has been described as “a charming, uplifting meditation on rural life, community and growing old”. The play runs from February 8th to 12th in the Wildman Studio. Please note that performances on 8th February (opening night) and 11th February will be socially distanced.

Back by popular demand, the Rob Dylan Band returns to Ilkley Playhouse on Saturday, February 19th. Formed by a group of musicians who share a passion for the music of Bob Dylan, their performance captures the spirit of the Rolling Thunder Revue with exciting, dynamic playing and powerful vocals. It was a sell-out performance the last time they performed at Ilkley Playhouse so book your tickets early!

A very special member of Ilkley Playhouse will be returning to the Wharfeside theatre on Wednesday, February 23rd: our patron Alan Titchmarsh. He will be welcomed home for a splendid evening of anecdotes, insight and laughter. Alan has been a long-standing supporter of Ilkley Playhouse, having received encouragement in 1963 from his schoolteacher David Wildman (who was also our Artistic Director) to join the Playhouse aged fourteen. Alan is looking forward to being back. He says: “I still cherish my association with the Players, and I do hope it will continue for many years.” An Evening with Alan Titchmarsh will end with a Q&A session.

For details of all our plays and events and to book tickets visit www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk or contact Ilkley Playhouse box office on 01943 609539.