LET us introduce you to Di and Viv and Rose, the eponymous friends in our upcoming Wildman Studio production.

This well-observed and funny play charts the friendship of three women for three decades following their first meeting at university in 1983. Life is fun. Living is intense. Together they feel unassailable.

Be prepared to laugh and cry as you too become friends with these wonderful women. It’s a perfect evening of 80s nostalgia, with music that you’ll want to revisit and costumes you’d rather laugh about!

Playwright Amelia Bulmore is also an actor, and a prolific writer for TV and radio: you may know her as the creator and star of ITV’s Scott & Bailey. She injects wit and insight into this crackling, cackling production as it explores the impact of friendship on life and the impact of life on friendship. Di and Viv and Rose runs from February 7 to 11.

If January hibernation or post-Christmas poverty have led you to neglect your friends, then the Playhouse has plenty in February to entice you out. Why not share some laughter and entertainment as you make memories with your own friends?

For instance, our next Stagefright Comedy night, on Saturday, February 18, is perfect for a group outing.

Gavin Webster, voted by his peers in 2014 as the “Comedians’ Comedian”, is also a talented actor and comes to us after a role in Ken Loach’s Palme d’Or-winning film I, Daniel Blake. You may be familiar with his style of comedy from TV, via Never Mind The Buzzcocks, The Comedy Store, The 11 O’ Clock Show, or the Radio 4 sketch show The Show What You Wrote. Expect hard-edged routines, quick-fire pastiche, sardonic songs and much hilarity.

Keiran Lawless uses his lovable charm and effortless wit to make audiences feel like they are part of the show. Keiran has recently toured with Patrick Kielty; already a popular act in Ireland, he is now blazing a trail through the UK comedy circuit. Gavin and Keiran are joined by Stu Woodings, Masie Adam and our MC Anthony J. Brown.

Those familiar with our comedy nights know that the cabaret seating, open bar and intervals all make for a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

Sticking with comedy, anyone for whom the catchphrase “you wouldn’t let it lie!” rings a bell may want to come along on Friday, February 24, when the Playhouse welcomes Charlie Chuck, aka Uncle Peter from Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer’s 90s TV extravaganzas.

Charlie’s remarkable career began as a session drummer for the Small Faces. He worked with various bands through the 1970s and 80s, and spent time as a musician on Tiswas. He has appeared at 14 of the last 20 Edinburgh Comedy Festivals. His stint as sidekick to Reeves and Mortimer included playing the original George Dawes, the drum-playing score master in Shooting Stars. Ilkley’s own Robson Stroud will be touring with him this year, including a show at the Edinburgh Festival.

The Playhouse event is in aid of Chevin Socialites, an Otley-based charity who, amongst other work, support widows at home and in care. Like our Stagefright Comedy nights there will be cabaret seating, the bar will be open and there will be an interval.

Come and enjoy an evening of live singing from Peggy-Sue & The Cupcakes a West Yorkshire-based close harmony group. The group specialise in hits from the 40s and 50s, with a few well-loved musical favourites and modern classics thrown in! Admission is £17.50 per person, which includes a grand fish supper from Grandad Nicol’s and a delicious cupcake from Jeanette’s Cakery in Saltaire. Again there is cabaret style seating, an interval and the bar will be open from 7pm. Peggy-Sue and the Cupcakes appear on February 25.

To book tickets for any of our productions or events, please visit www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk or phone the Box Office on 01943 609539. You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter for all the latest news and backstage gossip!

l Claire Emmott