THE current Ilkley Playhouse production is Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and at the time of writing ticket sales are going well and it may now be a sell-out.

Edward Albee’s classic runs until Saturday evening — February 28. Ring the box office on 01943 609539 to check availability.

The next Fleapit Cinema film is A Month in the Country on Sunday, March 22 at 2pm.

There is a very interesting story linked to this picture in that it was almost impossible to find a copy of it! Based on the novel by JL Carr it charts the progress of two survivors of the First World War in rural Yorkshire during summer 1920.

Originally released in 1987 as a co-production between Channel 4 and Euston Films, the distributor, Warner Brothers, could not trace any copies. Refusing to believe the film had disappeared, it took Bradford poet, Glyn Watkins, more than a year to track down a copy in a Warner Brothers’ warehouse.

Through his determination and a desire to have the film shown at the Bradford’s Film & Photography museum he persuaded Channel 4 to release it on DVD. Speaking to The Telegraph newspaper back in 2004 Mr Watkins said: “It’s an immensely moving film and remarkably true to the book.

“I just can’t believe it had to be snatched from the jaws of obscurity by a bloke sitting in the bedroom of his Bradford back-to-back.” So, for this rare opportunity to see A Month in the Country, come along on Sunday March 22. Tickets £5, including tea and cake.

The History Boys by Alan Bennett is the next Wharfeside Production from March 16 – 28, matinee on Saturday 21. Director Miranda Armitage has assembled a cast of local boys for roles originally played by the likes of James Corden, Russell Tovey and Dominic Cooper. There is a strong tie with Ilkley Grammar school, four of the cast are current pupils and one is a former IGS student.

The school exterior also features in a publicity shot for the poster and was used for some of the film sequences.

The filming was done by yet another IGS student so there is no shortage of home-grown talent on display. The play premiered at the Royal National Theatre in London on 18 May, 2004 and made its Broadway debut in April 2006.

It won multiple awards, including the 2005 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play and the 2006 Tony Award for Best Play.

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

March 16 to 28 at 7.30pm, Saturday matinee on March 21 at 2.30pm. Tickets £11/£9. Call 01943 609539 or see ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk for tickets.