Ilkley Playhouse

MRS Warren’s Profession, written by George Bernard Shaw, opens in the Wharfeside Theatre on Thursday 15th September. The play centres on the relationship between Mrs Warren, a prostitute, and her prudish Cambridge-educated daughter Vivie, who is horrified to discover that her mother’s wealth was acquired through the operation of whore-houses. With judgements flying, truths to tell and morals in contention, mother and daughter go head to head in a confrontation that neither will ever forget. Shaw wrote this play “to draw attention to the truth that prostitution is caused, not by female depravity, but simply by underpaying, undervaluing and overworking women so shamefully that the poorest of them are forced to resort to prostitution to keep body and soul together”. Written in 1984, the play was publicly banned for 30 years due to promoting “immoral and improper ideas”. For today’s audience, the play resonates in new ways. It shines a light on mother/daughter relationships and the values we hold dear. More than anything though, it is about social pressures and hypocrisy. It is a play fuelled by ideas of social and moral choices. The play runs until Saturday 24th September.

Our Poetry Course is back by popular demand, starting on 15th September. The course is aimed at anyone who enjoys reading and discussing poetry, focusing on 20th century poetry from England and elsewhere. Working chronologically through this thrilling poetic century, you will have the opportunity to hone your reading skills and discuss some familiar and unfamiliar voices, including Rupert Brooke, Edmund Blunden, H.D., Keith Douglas, Margaret Atwood, Carol Ann Duffy, Imtiaz Dharker, Billie Collins, Jackie Kay, among others. The sessions take place every Thursday morning until 8th December. The cost is £70 for 10 weeks.

Our first Stagefright Comedy Club of the season takes place on Saturday 1st October frontlined by Jonny Pelham and Anna Thomas. Jonny Pelham is one of the most exciting stand-up comedians in the UK. He has appeared on Live at the Apollo, Mock The Week, Alan Davies As Yet Untitled, Russell Howard’s Stand-up Central, Live from the BBC and Bobby and Harriet Get Married. Anna Thomas is a Welsh comedian and winner of BBC’s New Comedy Awards 2021. UK Comedy Guide Chortle describes her ‘distinctive rhythms and charmingly dotty attitude that wins our affections with a convivial daftness. She has the appealing air of not quite being of this world. But whatever planet she’s from, they know funny’. Supporting them is Benny Shakes - a powerhouse of ‘funny’ built on a foundation of clever joke writing, from the daily struggles of living with a disability to his observations on red neck life. Benny is a relatable and affable comic who ‘raises the roof’ every time. Also supporting is Midlands Comedy Award winner Tommy Tomski. He has been described as ‘an imaginative weaver of narrative with a machine gun style delivery of punchlines’. The line-up for the evening will be brilliantly compered by Anthony Brown.

We have a variety of events going on to see you through Autumn. We have a wonderful new event lined up on 13th November: AbidA – A Feast for the Senses. Based on a traditional North African ritual, the performance consists of seven scenes which present evocations of each of seven colours through dance, sound, text, imagery and fragrance. Each scene has its own particular ensemble of musicians and dancers.

On 18th November we see the debut performance of Celtic folk trio Roisin Ban, playing a mix of mainly traditional Irish and Scottish folk songs and tunes. Award winning tribute artist Richard Griffin performs Elvis – The Songbook on 19th November, singing many of Elvis’ classic hits including My Way, Suspicious Minds, Blue Suede Shoes and many more. The Soul Train Experience returns on 26th November, to delight audiences with their fantastic renditions of timeless Soul and Motown classics.

We have a new season ticket offer. Buy your tickets for all eight Wharfeside 2022/2023 productions at the same time and get one play free, saving you up to £12. Please note that the offer ends on Saturday 24th September so take advantage of this great offer soon.

To book tickets for all our plays and events visit www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk or contact Ilkley Playhouse box office on 01943 609539.