ALMOST two weeks into January and hopefully those of us who have embarked on a spot of clean living following the excesses of Christmas are now starting to feel the benefits. But whilst we focus on getting our bodies back into shape, perhaps we should spare a thought for our minds that may also need a reboot following weeks of schmaltzy Christmas specials and festive films we've seen a hundred times before.

As the saying goes: Feed your mind as you would your stomach – often, abundantly and with the best.

So why not step away from the television and kick start your cultural New Year with some quality, local theatre? At Ilkley Playhouse we’ve thought long and hard about how best to start 2017 and Entertaining Angels by Richard Everett was unanimously agreed as the perfect January beginning.

A play previously described by the Sunday Times as “a warm, glowing, serious comedy, like an Ayckbourn finished by JM Barrie”, Entertaining Angels is a delight to both mind and soul, with wonderful witty one-liners cleverly woven into a script that compassionately explores human relationships.

Following the death of her husband, Clergy wife Grace - having spent a lifetime on her best behaviour - is now enjoying a new found freedom to do and say exactly as she pleases. But the return of her eccentric missionary sister Ruth, together with some surprising revelations, forces her to confront the truth of her marriage.

There is a marvellous lightness of touch within the writing, directing and acting of Entertaining Angels that allows both light and shade to be injected into the play with warmth and poignancy. The Ilkley Playhouse Wharfeside Theatre has been ingeniously transformed into a English vicarage summer garden, complete with stream and greenhouse, to provide the perfect setting for this energetic yet sensitive production. You will leave the theatre both refreshed and nourished by this wonderful, feel-good play. Don't miss out, tickets are selling fast – book now, if you know what’s good for you!

Plus, if you are quick – for one night only - you can also catch our Rehearsed Reading of John Osborne’s classic Look Back in Anger. Similar to a live performance of a radio play, a Rehearsed Reading has minimal visual prompts, encouraging a focus on the lines and their delivery. Not to be missed for those wanting to experience the power of great writing and language.

Entertaining Angels runs from January 18th – 28th, 2017 and Look Back in Anger is on January 14, 2017.

For all our performances, you can book tickets online at www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk, or phone the Box Office on 01943 609539. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with the latest Ilkley Playhouse news and some backstage gossip!

by Vani Midgley