Ilkley Playhouse

WE have a packed and diverse set of events coming up at the Ilkley Playhouse.

Starting with comedy, Saturday, June 22 brings our next Stagefright stand-up comedy night. It’s a fun, sociable night out with top-quality comedians delivered to your doorstep in Ilkley. The atmosphere is relaxed, the bar is open and as well as a full support we have award-winning stand-up comedian Alun Cochrane headlining.

Alun’s an observational comedian, finding truisms of everyday life and weaving them into stories. Even if you don’t know his name, you may recognise his face: he’s appeared on TV shows including Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Mock The Week, Have I Got News For You and 8 Out Of 10 Cats. He featured as Sam in the sitcom Trying Again and has also appeared in Coronation Street, Boomers and Russell Howard’s Christmas film A Gert Lush Christmas.

Alun will be joined by Harriet Dyer, who has appeared on ITV’s FHM Stand-up Hero, BBC2’s The Culture Show and E4’s Big Brother’s Big Mouth and is a Laughter Lounge Award winner. Harriet is a unique witty performer with her oddball onstage antics and skewed views on the trivia of the everyday world providing copious belly laughs. As always there will be full support at this strictly 16+ event.

Looking into the crystal ball of future events, we see many musical treats coming up. Starting with The Art of Simon on Friday, July 5 and a chance to lose yourself in nostalgia as Bryan Thomson and Jeremy Woodhead (who recently performed in the Wildman studio as Jester B) perform the classic hits of Simon and Garfunkel. The Art of Simon faithfully recreate the duo’s songs, with classics such as Mrs Robinson through Flowers Never Bend With The Rainfall to Homeward Bound.

Also coming up with more musical nostalgia is Chris Bannister with The Music of John Denver on Friday, July 26. Chris was honoured to be asked to perform in Colorado in October 2012 for the annual celebration of John Denver’s life and work, and performed several concerts with Steve Weisberg, who was John Denver’s lead guitar player on all his great 1970s’ albums.

In short, Chris has great musical pedigree, and we’re delighted that he’s bringing that musical magic to Ilkley Playhouse.

More information about these events – and tickets! – can be found on our website.

Finally, back on the acting front, rehearsals for our next production, Blue Stockings by Jessica Swale, are filling the theatre.

The year is 1896 and women students at Girton College, Cambridge, were allowed to attend classes – but not to graduate. Jessica Swale’s absorbing play tells the story of a group of four spirited young women fighting for education and self-determination against the wider historical backdrop of the campaign for women’s suffrage. Blue Stockings runs from Wednesday, July10 to Saturday, July 20.

For more information about all our productions please go to www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk.

Claire Emmott