Festive classic It's a Wonderful Life comes to Ilkley Playhouse this week

Monday, 1 December 2025 05:30

By Caroline Mutton

Rehearsal of It's a Wonderful Life opening on Thursday 4th December

Caroline Mutton takes a look at what's on at Ilkley Playhouse - next is the festive favourite, It’s a Wonderful Life.

It’s a Wonderful Life opens in the Wharfeside Theatre on Thursday 4^th December. This play, by Mary Elliott Nelson, is based on the wonderful classic film directed by Frank Capra and follows the story of George Bailey, a down-on-his-luck banker who believes life has left him behind. On Christmas Eve, after being driven to the edge of despair, George contemplates throwing his life away. His Guardian Angel, Clarence, shows him what life would have been like if he never existed and the truth behind what makes a meaningful life. This feel-good story is an excellent example of just how valuable the gift of life is, and how big an impact even one person can have on the lives of so many others. With heartfelt performances, period charm, and a message that remains as powerful today as when the film first graced cinemas, It’s A Wonderful Life promises an unforgettable evening of theatre for the whole family. Don’t miss this enchanting adaptation of one of the world’s most cherished Christmas stories — a celebration of community, compassion, and the enduring power of love. The play runs until Saturday 13^th December.

Looking ahead to the beginning of next year, our six-week modern art course commencing in January looks at various artistic couples and explores the connections between their works and their contribution to the art movements they belonged to. The course starts on Wednesday 21^st January (10.30am-12pm) and considers the work of Robert and Sonia Delaunay, Gabriele Munter and Wassily Kandinsky, Alexander Rodchenko and Varvara Stepanova, Man Ray and Lee Miller, Anni and Josef Albers, Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg. The course tutor is Dr Simon Marginson, an independent art historian and curatorial researcher. £48 for six sessions.

Stunning female trio Belle Voix bring the timeless sounds of Motown and Northern Soul to Ilkley Playhouse on Friday 30^th January. Featuring over thirty iconic hits including Do I Love You, Tainted Love, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Midnight Train To Georgia and more. Starring Sandy Smith, Sophie Mairi and Briony Gunn, whose credits include London’s West End, Cruise Liners and Luxury Hotels, the trio deliver a powerful, soul-stirring performance that will have audiences singing along.

Our next Stagefright Comedy Club takes place on Saturday 31^st January at 8pm. Frontlining the event is Liam Farrelly, Scottish Comedian Of The Year from Live At The Apollo, described as having ‘a natural storytelling flair’ (Beyond The Joke). Paisley-born Liam began performing stand-up comedy aged seventeen while still in high school. He went into comedy full-time after graduating and in 2021 he was a finalist in the BBC New Comedy Award at the tender age of twenty-one. He also won the Frog & Bucket Beat The Frog World series in the same year and has established himself as a headline act all over the UK and beyond. Joining him is Double Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee from Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News For You, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and The Stand Up Sketch Show - comedian Ian Smith. Ian is a regular on BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz, which he guest-hosted this year - and has appeared on The Now Show, Just A Minute, The Ultimate Choice, One Person Found This Helpful and his own Radio 4 stand-up series, Ian Smith is Stressed. Also performing is Becky Heaviside, described as ‘intellectual and earthy’ (Notts Comedy Review), Big Shaun, former singer in cult Yorkshire band Everly Pregnant Brothers, and Rob Coleman - 'full of one-liners, he had the packed venue in fits of laughter' (The Jokers Club). The evening’s event will be superbly compered by Anthony J Brown, who has very recently been voted Best Promoter at this year’s Yorkshire Comedy Awards.

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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