Stagefright Comedy return to Ilkley Playhouse in November, Caroline Mutton takes a look ahead at the line-up and what else is coming soon for Your Ilkley.
Opening at the end of this month in the Wharfeside Theatre is the dark satirical comedy The Unfriend by Steven Moffat.
The play explores middle class English people’s attempts to remain polite at all costs. While on holiday, English couple Peter and Debbie befriend Elsa: a lusty, Trump-loving widow from Denver, USA. They find her offensively entertaining, and agree to stay in touch without ever intending to do so. But, when a few months later, Elsa invites herself to stay, they decide to look her up online. Too late, they learn the truth about Elsa Jean Krakowski and she has just boarded a plane to London! But how do you protect all that you love from mortal peril without seeming, well, a little bit impolite? Steve Mason, the play’s director, comments “Whenever we do audience surveys, they say they want to see ‘more comedies and thrillers.’ This play is the rarest of things - a fresh and modern play which just aims to be hilariously funny. I was desperate to direct this play because I love Steven Moffat, he’s one of my favourite modern writers - a genius! The Unfriend will give people a great night out.”.
The comedy opened at Chichester Festival in 2022 before transferring to the Criterion Theatre in London’s West End in January 2023. The Unfriend runs from Thursday 30th October until Saturday 8th November.
On Friday 14th November join us for an unforgettable night of blues music in support of Ilkley Live, a local charity dedicated to supporting cohesion in the community and promoting live music in the area. Not one, not two but three acts showcasing blues music, covering the greats of the era and originally penned Yorkshire blues by incredibly talented local artists. The night is the first of many in partnership between Ilkley Live and Ilkley Playhouse. Please note this is a seated event. No dancing.
The first Stagefright Comedy Club of the season takes place on Saturday 15th November and will be frontlined by Mitch Benn, described as ‘the country’s leading musical satirist’ (The Times). His TV credits include The One Show as the writer and arranger of The Complaints Choir, Bremner, Bird and Fortune, The Comedy Store, Live at Jongleurs and Celebrity Mastermind amongst others. He is a regular writer and performer on The Now Show for BBC Radio 4 and It's Been a Bad Week for BBC Radio 2. Three series of his successful Radio 4 show, Mitch Benn's Crimes Against Music have been broadcast so far. He also presented The Mitch Benn Music Show on BBC Radio 7. Mitch is one of the most sought-after acts on the comedy circuit for his 'song after song of exquisitely crafted satire' (The Scotsman). Joining him is Elaine Robertson, finalist in the Channel 4 Sean Lock Comedy Award. Last year she also took her debut show Delulu to Edinburgh Fringe where it received widespread critical acclaim and garnered her the Edinburgh Fringe Awards Panel Prize. Also performing is Best New Yorkshire Act nominee 2025 Mick Tickner. 'Witty observations, unique but very relatable. One of the best new acts we've seen in ages' (Bee Funny Comedy). Completing the line-up is Kelly Edgar, described as an 'emerging comic oddball with a talent for outlandish storytelling and a penchant for trouble' (BBC Online). This year she was awarded Felt Nowt New Act of the Year. The evening will be compered by the talented Anthony J Brown.
Yorkshire Celtic Folk Rock band Gaelforce returns to Ilkley Playhouse on Friday 21st November. Enjoy rocked-up traditional folk songs, self-penned tunes in the traditional style and jigs and reels. In 2023 Gaelforce won, by public vote, on the Introducing Stage at the Great British Folk Festival. Since then, they have been selling out ticketed gigs in Yorkshire and beyond.
To book tickets for all our plays and events visit www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk or contact Ilkley Playhouse box office on 01943 609539.
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