Bleak Expectations opens in December at Ilkley Playhouse, Caroline Muttons takes a look at this play and other events coming soon.
Filled with unexpected disguises, Dickensian misadventure and eccentric characters lit by the oil lamp, step in to the gin-soaked satirical world of Bleak Expectations, opening in the Wharfeside Theatre on Thursday 5th December.
Based on Mark Evans’ acclaimed BBC Radio 4 series, this is a hilarious chaotic caper, featuring dastardly villains, preposterous names, pulse-quickening romances, heart-rending death scenes and definitely, probably, hopefully, a happy ending. Director Kevin Moore says of the play, “we all love a bit of Dickens at Christmas. This will be Dickens as you’ve never seen it before.” Charles Dickens is a name that looms large over British literature. It is this recognition that fired the Dickens spoof Bleak Expectations on Radio 4 from 2007 to 2012. It then transferred to the stage in 2022.
The play is essentially based on the life of Sir Philip Bin, who as an older man, recounts his younger self’s exploits. These include his repeated tanglings with his guardian and nemesis Gently Benevolent as well as various members of the Hardthrasher family, daliances with Flora Dies-Early and Ripley Fecund. He is not helped in these endeavours by his best friend Harry Biscuit and his sisters Pippa and Poppy. The play runs until 14th December.
The Ilkley Playhouse annual Christmas coffee morning takes place on Saturday 30th November from 9.30am-1.00pm. Come along for some festive cheer and enjoy watching our junior and senior Greenrooms actors perform. Enjoy a mince pie, a warming drink, mingle with friends old and new, browse our Christmas stalls and maybe win a wonderful raffle prize!
Junior Greenroom students aged eight to twelve will throw their energies into our second fringe production of the season on 11th and 12th January: the audience-friendly adaptation of the much-loved story of Aladdin. Enter the treasure cave, rub the magic lamp, awake the powerful Genie, mount the flying carpet, battle the evil magician and win the heart of the beautiful Princess.
We have some exciting musical events that you can look forward to in the New Year. Step inside the fabulous music of the 1960s on Friday 31st January where we celebrate some of the best icons of the decade. Shout Out to the 60s is a toe-tapping, head-shakin’ celebration of the greatest idols of the 1960s – Dusty Springfield, Lulu, Cilla Black, Petula Clark, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, The Supremes and everyone in between! Listen to the unforgettable voices and harmonies of former West End singer Sandy Smith, along with the talented vocals of Sophie Mairi.
On Saturday 1st February Fire and Rain return to Ilkley Playhouse where once again audiences will be entertained by six of the best musicians from the North of England who come together to play music they love. Expect the classic James Taylor songs including Steamroller Blues, Shower the People, Fire and Rain and many more.
The award-winning Jon Palmer Acoustic Band make a welcome return to Ilkley Playhouse on Friday 7th February following their previous sell-out performances. They are a high energy six-piece folk/rock band based in West Yorkshire, where they have built a strong reputation. The band’s latest album Vacca Wall has top producer David Crickmore at the helm, and contains a musically and lyrically varied mix of twelve great songs. The album has received outstanding reviews from the music press.
Our next Stagefright Comedy Club takes place on Saturday 8th February. The event is frontlined by comedian Tony Law, acclaimed Canadian surrealist from Have I Got News For You, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Mock The Week and Never Mind The Buzzcocks. Three-time Chortle winner and Edinburgh Festival Award winner, he has been described as ‘taking post-modern stand-up to a dangerously funny new level.’ (The Guardian). Joining him is Howard Walker, who has oodles of warmth, dry wit and a disarming demeanour. He is a Best New Yorkshire Act award winner and Hilarity Bites award runner up. Mel Judson is also performing, described as ‘surprising, funny and just delightful’ (Daliso Chaponda). UK Pun Championship winner 2018 and London Evening Standard’s Critic’s Choice winner Rob Mann will also take to the stage. Jack Wilson, who has been described as ‘just brilliant’ by Micky P Kerr from Britain’s Got Talent, will complete the evening’s entertainment. The event will be brilliantly compered by Anthony J Brown.
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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