Caroline Mutton takes look at what's on at Ilkley Playhouse.
Running until 21st September is Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s contemporary take on Henrik Ibsen’s 1882 political masterpiece An Enemy of the People. The play is set in a quaint, coastal Norwegian spa town. When Dr Teresa Stockmann learns, after some extensive research, that the town’s famous bath waters are contaminated with poisonous chemicals, she resolves to expose this by publishing her findings in the local paper. There is of course, resistance from the authorities, in particular her brother (who also happens to be the local mayor), whose is loathed to expose the truth for the economic damage it will cause. The play becomes a fascinating study on how far we can stand by our principles if they negatively impact livelihoods and the people we love. The issues this play deals with are timeless but enormously relevant in the contemporary world in which we live and illustrate the real moral struggle between doing what is right at the expense of reputation, livelihood and family. The play’s director, Yvette Huddleston describes the play as “a powerful, multi-layered drama that is given a contemporary spin in this modern-day adaptation. While Ibsen’s original play was written over a hundred years ago, the themes it deals with – the corrupting influence of power, how commercial gain can trump morality, humankind's damaging effect on the environment and the importance of protecting the truth and freedom of speech – remain timely and pressing. As well as tackling those thorny issues, the play also explores family dynamics, passion, ambition and personal integrity.” This timely and gripping play makes for a compelling night of theatre.
Rehearsals are in full swing for fringe production Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons, opening in the Wildman Studio on 26th September. The play’s protagonists, Oliver and Bernadette, are your typical slightly mismatched couple; he’s an idealist musician, she’s a sensible lawyer; he thinks she’s too focused on her career, but she reckons he’s just insecure because she earns more than him. Their differences are brought into focus when the government brings in a new law that forbids all citizens from speaking more than 140 words a day. The so-called “hush law” threatens the basis of their closeness, forcing them to water down their conversation to a meagre daily quota. Sam Steiner’s playful romantic comedy drama, originally performed at Warwick Arts Theatre and then at the Edinburgh Festival in 2015, is a bold, tender and funny rom-com about what we say, how we say it and whether silence sometimes speaks volumes. The play runs until Saturday 28th September.
Starting on Wednesday 23rd October is this season’s six-week History of Art course. From the cave paintings of Altamira to the cinema of Pedro Almadóvar, Spain has an impressive history of visual art. This course offers a selective introduction to that history. Each session considers a major Spanish artist or an artist working in Spain. The emphasis throughout is on the dialogue between tradition and modernity: how old masters such as El Greco, Velázquez and Goya anticipated aspects of modern art and how modern artists like Picasso, Miró and Dalí continued to find inspiration in the work of the Spanish masters. Each session offers an introduction to an aspect of Spanish art and will address specific themes, contexts and artists. The sessions will typically consist of two halves: the first giving a broader overview of an artist’s career; the second an in-depth discussion of a particular artwork. The course runs from 10.30am till 12 noon every week and is great value at £42 for the six-week course.
Popular Celtic folk trio band Roisin Ban return to Ilkley Playhouse on Friday 1st November for an evening of lively, Celtic folk music and song. Playing a mix of traditional Irish and Scottish folk songs and tunes, this accomplished band is well-respected on the UK folk scene.
Our first Stagefright Comedy Club of the season takes place on Saturday 2nd November. The event will be frontlined by Mick Ferry who is renowned as a fine purveyor of surrealism and voted best UK Stand-Up in a national poll of his peers. Mick has starred in The Comedy Store for Comedy Central, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Edinburgh Comedy Fest, The World Stands Up aswell as the Ken Loach film Looking for Eric. Joining him will be comedian Karl Porter – a fantastic natural born gagster from the North-West England. A ‘Lad of the Year’ nominee, you can’t but help love his cheeky and unique self-deprecation, laced with tall tales and hilarious observations. Stevie Cairns will also be performing, described as having ‘an immediately likeable stage presence, delivering inventive storytelling material and memorable punchlines’. Joining them will be Andy Ellis, described as ‘one of the best new acts around’ (Micky P Kerr – Britain’s Got Talent Finalist). The event will be compered by Anthony J Brown.
On Friday 22nd November a group of five of the finest musicians around today make their debut performance at Ilkley Playhouse. Stony Jazz are purveyors of songs from the Great American Songbook. Their set includes instantly recognisable songs from swing to blues and ballads to Latin, which are performed with style, energy and entertainment.
To book tickets for all our plays and events visit www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk or contact Ilkley Playhouse box office on 01943 609539.