The Wharfedale Observer: News from Ilkley, Otley and surrounding areas.

Songs and wit from quartet

1:00pm Tuesday 14th May 2013

The next main production on Ilkley Playhouse's Wharfeside stage is the female version of The Odd Couple, by Neil Simon. The male version is well known to most people and is considered one of the more significant post-war theatre comedies.

Chef trained with the first Indian to get Michelin star

1:29pm Tuesday 14th May 2013

Born to a family of doctors in Gwalior, a city in the middle of northern India, the chef at the 1875 restaurant in Menston, Vivek Singh Kashiwale, was first inspired to cook by watching and helping his aunt at work in the kitchen.

Handel's Joshua brought to 1948 Israel by Opera North

1:18pm Tuesday 14th May 2013

Handel’s Joshua

Bands put a spring in the step of visitors to farmers' market

1:16pm Tuesday 14th May 2013

Shoppers were treated to live music at Horsforth Farmers Market last weekend.

Coup for theatre with new Lloyd Webber play

1:13pm Tuesday 14th May 2013

A touch of Christmas cheer will come to Yeadon early this month with a production of Whistle Down the Wind.

Students set to tread boards at Leeds theatre

1:07pm Tuesday 14th May 2013

Ilkley Grammar School Theatre Group performed Lucinda Coxon’s play ‘What Are They Like?’ at The West Yorkshire Playhouse on Saturday as part of National Theatre Connections – a nationwide celebration of new plays for young people.

Strictly Come Dancing stars waltz into city

1:02pm Tuesday 14th May 2013

Pasha Kovalev and Katya Virshilas, who have both starred in BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing partnering celebrities including Phil Tufnell, Chelsee Healy and Gavin Henson, bring their brand new live show to Leeds later this month for an evening of glamour and glitz at the City Varieties Music Hall.

Dancer to perform with acclaimed concertina player

1:01pm Tuesday 14th May 2013

An acclaimed Irish concertina player is aiming to wow audiences at Otley Courthouse next weekend.

Journalist turned comedian gives insider scoop on the media

2:06pm Friday 3rd May 2013

The long Bank Holiday weekend will begin at Otley Courthouse with a fundraising concert by the Otley Singers.

Woodland ramble taking in curious 19th Century folly

3:01pm Friday 3rd May 2013

Some places are worth visiting again and again. Middleton Woods above Ilkley is one of them, particularly this time of year when hopefully the bluebells have come out and the ground between the trees is carpeted with flowers in full bloom and the air is sweet with their perfume.

The man who managed to impress Michel Roux Jr

2:53pm Friday 3rd May 2013

Having worked at a trio of Michelin-starred establishments Simon Miller had just the pedigree Martin Kellaway was looking for when he set his mind on transforming his flagship pub The Fleece, in Otley, into a fine dining pub.

Less of the Noize as Slade frontman recounts varied life

2:42pm Friday 3rd May 2013

National treasure, Godfather of Glam and thinking grandmother’s crumpet, are just a few of the names given to Noddy Holder.

Turner Prize winner among famous artists at stately exhibition

2:38pm Friday 3rd May 2013

The team at one of the county’s most popular visitor attractions, Harewood House, has announced that its current exhibition, In Cloud Country, is a major coup for the region.

Moving and funny look at fatherhood

2:20pm Friday 3rd May 2013

The exciting news from Ilkley Playhouse this week is that we now have online booking available. Go to the website, click on the Book Now button and follow the instructions to book and pay online. Tickets can then be collected from the box office as usual.

Dutch dance master among talent for homecoming after Great Gatsby

2:09pm Friday 3rd May 2013

Northern Ballet returns home in June with a showcase of outstanding emerging and established international choreography. The Company will perform a mixed programme at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre in its award-winning headquarters in Leeds from June 5-9.

Gerry leads a nostalgic trip to 1960s

2:48pm Friday 3rd May 2013

The sound of ’60s Liverpool is coming to Ilkley next Thursday.

Spirit of mini Last Night of the Proms

2:45pm Friday 3rd May 2013

An evening of music by Otley Brass Band has been enjoyed by senior citizens from across Wharfedale and Aireborough.

Toe-tapping Fringe favourite

2:36pm Friday 3rd May 2013

Edinburgh Fringe favourite Jonathan Prag will demonstrate his guitar expertise to music-lovers in Otley next week.

Full Monty takes to the stage

2:22pm Friday 3rd May 2013

The Full Monty is coming to Leeds for a two-week run ahead of its West End premiere. Oscar-winning writer of the film, Simon Beaufoy, has adapted the script for the stage – his first work for theatre.

Vain tale that caused a moral outrage

2:15pm Friday 3rd May 2013

Keighley Playhouse is going 'wilde' for its latest production - a daring and dangerous exploration of the quest for eternal youth.

Otley orchestera and choir will be on song for charity

1:08pm Thursday 25th April 2013

Two local groups will perform concerts over the coming fortnight in support of Otley Courhouse and one of its activities.

Spend a Week With Marilyn at Ilkley Playhouse

1:13pm Thursday 25th April 2013

This weekend is a busy one at the Playhouse with three events taking place.

Pair are all set to rock out at The Cavern

1:10pm Thursday 25th April 2013

Local duo, Marc and Abi, made up of Marc Otway and Abi Uttley are set to play an exclusive show at the legendary Cavern club in Liverpool in front of press and celebrities.

Eccentric comedian brings show to Otley Courthouse

2:09pm Thursday 18th April 2013

Boothby Graffoe is a talented stand-up comedian who often incorporates surreal songs into his performances with the help of his trusty guitar. His national spring tour Nomad – No Sane Either arrives in Otley Saturday April 20.

World-class trio of dazzling musicians grace Ilkley Playhouse stage

2:07pm Thursday 18th April 2013

This Sunday, Fleapit Cinema has a 2pm showing of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, starring Ewan Mcgregor and Emily Blunt. Based on the popular novel by Paul Torday, a government expert in fisheries is approached by a consultant to help bring about a wealthy sheik’s unlikely vision of introducing the sport of fly-fishing to the desert.

Talented Upstagers hungry for success

2:05pm Thursday 18th April 2013

Little Shop of Horrors

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Ilkley Playhouses stages three plays in one

2:42pm Thursday 11th April 2013

Ilkley Playhouse continues to host the production of Hugh Leonard’s trilogy Suburb of Babylon on its Wharfeside stage.

Popular Otley festival of tribute acts returns

2:37pm Thursday 11th April 2013

‘Early bird’ tickets have gone on sale for the 2013 Otley Fake Festival.

Otley concert in aid of Wheatfields Hospice

2:45pm Thursday 11th April 2013

A charity rock concert with well-known local bands playing is being held in Otley on Saturday.

Otley Courthouse hosts talk on conserving rare birds by RSPB

2:43pm Thursday 11th April 2013

Otley Courthouse is hosting a unique event for all avian enthusiasts and wildlife lovers next week.

Alexandra joins choir for welcome return to Yeadon Town Hall

3:10pm Thursday 4th April 2013

It will be a case of deja vu for up and coming Soprano Alexandra Lowe when she takes to Yeadon Town Hall stage with the internationally renowned Fron Male Voice Choir this week.  Alexandra is a 21-year-old soprano currently studying at the Royal Northern College of Music and two years ago she appeared as guest singer with the choir in concert in Yeadon.   “I am so pleased to be singing alongside them again this year at Yeadon Town Hall, as two years ago I received a standing ovation for my performance there,” she said. “Let’s hope that this year will be just as good, or even better.”

Emotional mixture in an Irish trilogy at Ilkley Playhouse

3:04pm Thursday 4th April 2013

Hugh Leonard’s trilogy Suburb of Babylon starts a ten-night run in the Wharfeside theatre on Wednesaday. All three plays are set in the same Dublin street more or less simultaneously, though each has its own distinctive genre.