REHEARSALS for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? are almost at the dress stage, and the opening night, on Tuesday, February 24, in the Wildman Studio, is eagerly anticipated. With the benchmark set very high already this year, Ilkley Players will be looking to continue that fine form with Edward Albee’s most famous work.

Director Jennie Aron says of the play: “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is a modern classic of the American stage. Although written in the 1960s, its main theme, which deals with the roller-coaster marriage of George and Martha, is timeless and provides two wonderful roles for the warring husband and wife.

“We are extremely lucky to have Sue Garnett and James Kingsley lending their range and experience to these key parts. Nikki Mason and Jason Evens are the younger couple who inadvertently stray into the night of angst and alcohol that ensues. All the ingredients are there for a gripping and truly dramatic evening – don’t miss it.”

With only five performances, there will almost certainly be the usual clamour for tickets, so book now to avoid disappointment.

February 24 to 28 at 7.30pm in the Wildman Studio. Tickets £8.50/£7.50.

Another contemporary classic is next on the agenda, with Alan Bennett’s The History Boys running from March 16 to 28 in the Wharfeside.

The play premiered at the Royal National Theatre in London on May 18, 2004, and made its Broadway debut in April 2006, during which time it won multiple awards, including the 2005 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play and the 2006 Tony Award for Best Play.

Director Miranda Armitage has assembled a cast of local boys to take on the roles originally played by the likes of James Corden, Russell Tovey and Dominic Cooper.

This is a delightful, uplifting and moving story which follows a group of history pupils preparing for the Oxford and Cambridge entrance examinations under the guidance of three very different teachers (Hector, Irwin, and Lintott).

March 16 to 28 at 7.30pm, Saturday matinee on March 21 at 2.30pm. Tickets £11/£9.

The Wildman Studio production of Mrs Klein scheduled for March 6 and 7 has been postponed. Please see the website for details of new dates. Visit ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk or call (01943) 609539 for tickets and info.