OUR first Wharfeside Theatre production of the autumn/winter season is Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People, opening on September 12.
An Enemy of the People is often cited as one of the greatest dramas ever written. In this play, Rebecca Lenkiewicz adapts Ibsen’s classic tale of truth, lies, whistle-blowers and hypocrisy, shining new light on contemporary environmental issues and crises of the public good. The play concerns the actions of Dr Teresa Stockmann, a medical officer charged with inspecting the public baths on which the prosperity of her native town depends. She finds the water to be contaminated and when she refuses to be silenced, she is declared an enemy of the people and finds that her once allies, including her brother - the town’s mayor, soon start to turn against her. This devastating and timeless play about the true cost of honesty runs until September 21.
This season’s poetry and literature course is a combined ten-week course starting on Thursday, September 5. The literature element of the course tackles the work of French novelist Marcel Proust and attempts to remove the intimidation factor that his writing can sometimes present. The course offers a friendly, supportive and encouraging environment in which to delve into his work. The poetry section of the course concerns ‘place’ – a subject that has long fascinated poets. Pastoral, landscape, cityscape, nature – a host of locations have inspired poets to contemplate the relationship between humans and the places we inhabit. The course features poetry from the Romantics to the 21st Century, from Wordsworth to Armitage. The course tutor is Dr Robert Hemmings who has been teaching, researching and writing about literature and culture for more than twenty-five years. He is passionate about lifelong learning and is delighted to have this opportunity to read and discuss poetry and literature at Ilkley Playhouse.
It’s no secret that words have power, yet every day we use them carelessly, en-masse, to communicate everything. We talk to our partners, children, colleagues, pets and neighbours. Indeed, the average person will speak 7000 words a day. But imagine a world in which there was a limit? What if every single word needed to be chosen carefully and uttered sparingly? Our first fringe production of the season does just that in Sam Steiner’s popular play Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons, running from September 26 to 28 in the Wildman Studio. The play traces the relationship of Bernadette and Oliver as they navigate the Orwellian prospect of having their speech restricted to 140 words a day. For this couple, who are a few years down the line in their relationship and already starting to feel the strain of long-held tensions, this becomes the ultimate test. The play moves backwards and forwards in time, covering their relationship before and after the enactment of the draconian “hush law”. Sam Steiner’s playful romantic comedy drama, originally performed at Warwick Arts Theatre and then at the Edinburgh Festival in 2015, recently transferred to the West End and offers a magnetic and moving look into the importance of what we say, how we say it and what happens when we can’t say anything at all.
Popular Celtic folk trio band Roisin Ban return to Ilkley Playhouse on Friday, November 1 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, November 2. 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, November, 22 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.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here