What's on at Ilkley Playhouse

Two people. One relationship. Infinite possibilities. When Marianne and Roland meet at a barbecue, a multiverse of potential outcomes unfold. Each choice they make creates a series of branching paths; a series of vignettes showing the effects of free will and chance in our lives. It’s a beautifully metamorphic play, captivating the exploration of relationships and the question of life itself. The play runs until Saturday, November 25th.

We can’t think of a better way to get you in a cheery, festive mood than with the hilarious stage adaptation of the hugely successful TV series The Vicar of Dibley. The play, which runs from Thursday, December 7th to Saturday, December 16th, brings together all the popular and loveable characters from the series that ran for 20 episodes. Members of Dibley’s Parish Council, bullishly led by David Horton, are less than impressed by the arrival of their first female vicar Geraldine Granger. If you loved the series you’ll not be disappointed by this production with some of those memorable moments. Laugh along as Alice and Hugo grapple with their blossoming relationship, Owen with his cows, Frank with his minutes and Letitia with some very unusual recipes. As for Jim Trotter, he’ll be there, dithering away throughout!

Looking ahead to 2024, Stagefright Comedy Club returns to Ilkley Playhouse on Saturday, February 3rd. The evening will be frontlined by Gavin Webster. Voted ‘Comedian’s Comedian’ in a national poll of his fellow stand-ups, his long list of media credits include Never Mind the Buzzcocks, The Stand-Up Show, Edinburgh Nights, Ken Loach’s Palme d’Or-winning I, Daniel Blake and the Radio 4 sketch show The Show What You Wrote. Joining him is Tom Little, Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year and Edinburgh Festival award nominee. The utterly inventive Tom is a former BBC New Comedy Award finalist with his gut-wrenchingly insightful material and hilariously awkward delivery. His web series Don’t Overthink It has been recently nominated for four awards at the esteemed NYC Web Fest. Also performing is Melina Fiol, one of the fastest rising new acts emerging from the Northwest comedy scene today. Her sharp wit, confident delivery and relatable self-awareness has been disarming audiences across the UK. Beat the Frog winner Kie Carson will also be on stage, a charismatic and endearing performer with thought provoking material. The evening will be compered by the talented Anthony J Brown.

Our final production of the Autumn/Winter season, opening on Tuesday, February 13th, is Things I Know to be True, performed in the Wildman Studio. As beautifully touching as it is bold, the play tells the story of a family and marriage through the eyes of four grown siblings struggling to define themselves beyond their parents’ love and expectations. Parents Bob and Fran have worked hard all their lives and with their four children grown and ready to fly the nest, it might be time to relax and smell the roses. But as the seasons change, some shattering truths emerge, leaving us to wonder whether it is possible to love too much. The play runs until Saturday, February 17th.

Two popular, sell-out bands return to Ilkley Playhouse at the end of February. On Friday, February 23rd The Rob Dylan Band perform in the Wildman Studio. 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.

Following a stunning debut performance at Ilkley Playhouse last year, the Jon Palmer Acoustic Band returns on Saturday, February 24th. Based in Otley, this high energy, folk, roots and rock and roll band is best described as “exploding out of the same box as The Pogues, The Saw Doctors and The Waterboys.” They have a great reputation for finishing off the night in a joyful, energetic and chorus filled way.

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