Ilkley Playhouse

REMEMBER that sense of elation that follows you home after a great night out at a play or event? Re-living choice words or memorable phrases, chuckling at jokes, or singing along to favourite songs gives you a jubilant feeling that lasts long after theatre lights have dimmed and the curtains closed. Ilkley Playhouse likes to leave its patrons walking on air for their journey home – this is how Playhouse events are picked and planned!

If you’re looking for an outing this Friday, July 26, you may be in time to get yourself a ticket for The Music of John Denver, featuring Chris Bannister. Chris is internationally lauded for his delivery of John Denver’s beautiful back catalogue. If the website is sold out for this special evening it could be worth trying for a ticket on the door.

If you’ve got a little longer to plan your night out, and if laughter’s what you want from a Saturday night, then come down to the Playhouse on Saturday, July 27 for our regular Stagefright comedy night, which this month features Geoff Norcott. Geoff, star of the BBC’s The Mash Report and Live at the Apollo, will be previewing material from his forthcoming Edinburgh Festival show. A brilliant satirical comic, he’s written for programmes such as Channel 4’s Alternative Election, featured as a guest on Question Time (BBC1) and Daily Politics (BBC2), and has supported Katherine Ryan on tour. You’ll also recognise his voice from radio, where he’s appeared on The Now Show and Today as well as his own Radio 4 stand-up special.

Geoff will be joined by Stevie Grey, who fuses jokes, music, news stories and audience participation to create up-tempo energy. There’ll also be other support acts.

After a brief summer break more events are coming up in September, starting on the 7th with West Yorkshire five-piece band The 309s. Their popular repertoire is a rocking and rolling blend of swing, country and jive that will lift you up and put a smile on your face. A great gig for a group of friends to start a night out with!

Finally there’s An Evening with Dolly Parton on Friday, September 27. Miss Julie Martin, award-winning Dolly Parton impersonator, will bring the delights of Dolly’s repertoire to the Playhouse, including classics such as Jolene, Nine To Five, Coat of Many Colours, I Will Always Love You, Blue Smoke, Islands In The Stream, and many others. The Wildman Studio is a brilliant home for live musical events – it keeps the audience at the heart of the music and connects you to the performer.

Also look out for our new season opening with Alan Ayckbourne’s Intimate Exchanges Volume 1: A Garden Fete.

If the back-to-school ambience makes your mind want to learn something new in September, we have Poetry and The Novel, which after the great success of the first course earlier this year will return on Thursday, September 12.

For more on our events, productions and courses, go to our website at www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk, or call 01943 609539.

by Claire Emmott