By Caroline Mutton
The Spring Summer 2025 Season has arrived at Ilkley Playhouse and we hope there is something for everyone to enjoy over the next six months.
Ilkley Playhouse has a long-standing reputation for performing modern dramas, classics, farce, comedy, musicals - all carefully selected by Ilkley Playhouse’s Casting Committee and all performed to the highest standard.
This season six Wharfeside and Wildman productions, along with two fringe productions, will be performed by Ilkley Players. Ilkley Playhouse is also a venue for visiting musicians, comedians, and singers so in addition to our main plays, we have an exciting line up of events to keep you entertained. You can get your hands on a copy of the Spring/Summer programme at Ilkley Playhouse, in local libraries, in various shops in and around the town, at the Ilkley Visitor Information Centre and at the Clarke Foley Community Hub.
Shakespeare makes a welcome return to the Ilkley Playhouse stage on 13th March with The Merry Wives of Windsor. This fast-paced, battle-of-the-sexes comedy entertains with plots, and sub plots, all tackled with greed, romance and wit aplenty. Likeable rogue Falstaff is pitched in his scheming against Mistresses Ford and Page; the eponymous ‘merry wives’, in whom Good Sir John may just have bitten off more than he can chew….The play runs until 22nd March.
From 24th April to 3rd May compelling play Mary Shelley opens in the Wharfeside Theatre. Playwright Helen Edmundson explores a tumultuous period in the early life of Mary Shelley, from meeting and eloping with poet Percy Bysshe Shelley at just aged sixteen, to publishing one of the greatest Gothic horror stories ever written; Frankenstein.
Opening on 12th May in the Wildman Studio, come and enjoy a compelling literary detective story about the turbulent lives of the Bronte sisters. In 1845, Branwell Bronte returns home in disgrace, plagued by his addictions. As he descends into alcoholism and insanity, bringing chaos to the household, his sisters write. Polly Teale’s extraordinary play evokes the real and imagined worlds of the Brontes, as their fictional characters come to haunt their creators. Bronte runs until 17th May. This production is part of our Bronte project, in the year that Bradford is City of Culture and celebrating the wider district. The Bronte Parsonage is bringing Polly Teale and the cast of this production together in Haworth.
Razor sharp political comedy Labour of Love opens on 19th June in the Wharfeside Theatre. Labour MP David Lyons cares about modernisation and electability. His constituency agent Jean Whittaker cares about principles and her community. Set away from the Westminster bubble in the party’s traditional northern heartlands, this is a clash of philosophy, culture and class against the backdrop of the Labour Party over twenty-five years from Kinnock to Corbyn…and beyond? The play runs until 28th June.
Our final play of the season, which opens on 7th July, is tense and gripping drama The River. On a moonless night in August, a man brings his new girlfriend to the remote family cabin where he has come for the fly-fishing since he was a boy. But she’s not the only woman he has brought here – or indeed the last…. The River is utterly beguiling in its subtle deconstruction of the way we conduct ourselves in relationships – the facades erected, the lies told, the declarations made and the pasts conveniently ignored. The play runs until 12th July in the Wildman Studio.
You don’t’ have to wait too long to see our first fringe production of the season. Cassie and the Lights runs from 6th to 8th March and is a play that forces you to consider what family actually means. When Cassie’s mother disappears, the teenager wants to care for her sisters on her own. Is she the right person to be a parent now or should she let foster parents adopt her sisters and create a new family? Based on real-life events and interviews with children, this play has had sold-out runs in London, Edinburgh and New York. The Guardian describes the play as ‘thoughtful, warm, hugely moving…will leave you wanting to call whomever it is you think of as family’. This production contains occasional strong language and is recommended for ages 12 plus.
Bard in the Yard returns for its sixth consecutive year this summer and in the same format as in previous years, it will consist of two contrasting Shakespeare plays, (yet to be announced) cleverly adapted to last thirty to forty minutes each and played in minimalist style, letting the words speak for themselves. Performances will take place on Saturday 23rd August in the Wildman Studio at 7.30pm and on Sunday 24th and Monday 25th August (Bank Holiday) at 2pm in the Manor House Yard.
Stagefright Comedy Clubs have become a regular favourite at Ilkley Playhouse and showcase the finest comedy acts on the UK and international comedy circuits. Over the years, the club has featured well-known comedians Joe Lycett, Chris Ramsey, Gary Delaney, Shazia Mirza and Justin Moorhouse. Our next installment is on Saturday 29th March and will be frontlined by Seymour Mace, a two-time Edinburgh Festival Best Show nominee and City Life Comedian Of The Year. From Dave's One Night Stand, The Weird World Of Russell Brand, The Stand-Up Show, Hebburn, Comedy Lab, The World Stands Up and Clive Anderson's Chat Room. He was also a regular in BBC2's Johnny Vegas sitcom Ideal. Joining him is Kelly Rickard, who has been described as ‘brutally honest and hilarious!’(Rosie Ramsey) and as ‘very funny’ (The Scotsman). She was awarded Best Show Panel Prize Winner at Edinburgh Fringe, Felt Nowt New Act Of The Year winner & Chortle Hotshots Finalist. Also performing is Gurps Cheema, who has ‘sharp wit and engaging storytelling’ (BBC online). Lizzie Norm, who was So You Think You’re Funny? runner up at Edinburgh Festival in 2023 and who has ‘wonderfully droll observations’ (BBC), will be joining them. Comparing the event is Metro Award winner and talented comedian Anthony J Brown. Keep a look out for details of our Stagefright Comedy Clubs on 24th May and 19th July.
Ilkley Playhouse is well-known for the quality and variety of music events it hosts and this season is jam-packed with musical events to suit all tastes. Chris Bannister returns to Ilkley Playhouse on Friday 28th March, showcasing his latest album The Calling Course. Chris Bannister is a singer-songwriter from the North of England and has released seven albums of critically acclaimed original material. His distinctive singing style has led to him being compared to the great American singer/songwriter John Denver, although the comparison ends with the vocals. His original material has many influences of folk, country and rock.
On Friday 4th April The Art of Simon make a welcome return to Ilkley Playhouse, performing their extensive range of songs made famous by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel from the early years through to some of their solo hits. The evening will no doubt bring back some warm, nostalgic memories with songs such as Baby Driver, A Poem on the Underground Wall, The Boxer and Homeward Bound.
We welcome back The Yorkshire Gypsy Swing Collective on Saturday 5th April when some of the region’s hottest gypsy jazz and swing players will perform, playing music inspired from legendary musicians Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli of the “Quintette du Hot Club de France” and more! Expect fiery solos, foot-stomping rhythms and even some jazz standards to sing along to.
On Friday 11th April, join us for an unforgettable night of hand-clapping, toe-tapping music with The Wild Murphys, a popular award-winning tribute group renowned for their lively cover of Irish songs. If you like songs by The Pogues, The Dubliners, The Saw Doctors, Brendan Shine, The Fureys, along with some great sing-along country classics, then this is a night out you don’t want to miss!
The ever-popular Laurel Canyon Union return to Ilkley Playhouse on Friday 30th May. This union of fully professional, experienced musicians take their inspiration from the late 60s/early 70s American West Coast singer songwriter era, playing well -known songs from artists such as Jackson Browne, Neil Young, Eagles, James Taylor, Crosby Stills and Nash, Buffalo Springfield and many more. Opening the show are acoustic folk duo Reuben and the Bridge.
On Friday 6th June, enjoy a night of classics performed by Edinburgh festival award-winning vocalist, Oliver Harris, and the amazing Oliver Harris Band! He brings his tributes to The Caruso and King of Rock and Roll, Roy Orbison and Elvis. Oliver’s set-list includes Pretty Woman, I Drove All Night, You Got It, Only the Lonely, Heartbreak Hotel, Suspicious Minds, Wonder of You, and many more. If you love the classics, this is an event not to be missed!
The Rob Dylan Band, the UK’s greatest tribute to the music of Bob Dylan, return to Ilkley Playhouse on Friday 4th July. Formed by a group of musicians who share a passion for the music of Bob Dylan, their performance captures the spirit of the Rolling Thunder Revue with exciting and dynamic playing and powerful vocals.
Former West End singer Sandy Smith brings you A Night of the Stars on Saturday 5th July. This show will take you on a journey through the decades from some of the legendary artistes of all time. From Shirley Bassey, Barbara Streisand, Tina Turner, Diana Ross and Adele right up to Celine Dion, Abba, Whitney Houston, Queen and many more. Each track is handpicked to wow and entertain you. This sell-out tour has something for everyone so book your tickets early!
Fleetwood Shack is back by popular demand on Friday 18th July. Prepare to be transported on a remarkable musical journey as Fleetwood Shack delivers an extraordinary performance, featuring an impressive repertoire of the biggest and most beloved Fleetwood Mac hits. Their performance is unforgettable, captivating and nostalgic, showcasing hits Little Lies, Everywhere, Landslide, Go Your Own Way and many more.
On Friday 25th July, Voodoo Room returns to Ilkley Playhouse to pay tribute to some of the greatest names in rock history - Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Cream, to name a few. Voodoo Room is a stunning power-trio featuring some of the UK’s finest musicians. Expect a world-class show, put together in total appreciation of the massive pioneers of classic blues and rock. Hear all the classics including Strange Brew, Hey Joe, Sunshine of Your Love, Fire, Watchtower, Layla, Purple Haze, Foxy Lady and many more.
Looking ahead to our Autumn/Winter 2025 Season, we have a super line-up of plays including Toast, The Unfriend, It’s a Wonderful Life, Gaslight and Big Big Sky.
For the latest plays and events please check our website, Facebook page, X [Twitter] and Instagram account.
You can also find out more on our website about hiring our venue, costume and prop hire, our Greenroom drama classes and how you can get involved.
To book tickets for all our plays and events visit www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk or contact Ilkley Playhouse box office on 01943 609539.