Rehearsals continue throughout August for the lift-off of Terence Rattigan’s Flare Path (directed by Steve Mason) which opens on Wednesday September 11 for ten nights. This war-time drama set in a hotel/pub close to an RAF Bomber Command base was a huge West End hit in its recent professional revival – you are encouraged to book your seats as soon as possible for what is our first production of an exciting new season. Lee Russell has recently joined the cast in the part of Hollywood actor Peter Kyle, whose friendship with actress Patricia Warren (played by Rhiannon Cawthorne in her debut for the Playhouse) invites complications with her husband, Flight lieutenant Teddy Graham (James Underwood, also making his Playhouse debut). Other parts are played by Howard Clements, Tony Clegg, Hugh Lambert, Mai Haver, Becky Kordowicz, Jessica Foster and Rachel Wallbank.

Our fringe version of Conor McPherson’s The Weir is entering its last week of rehearsal before being taken to Llanbedrog in North Wales for two performances at the John Andrews Theatre (an outdoor venue) for the last weekend of August. Already, plans are in progress to take a full-scale production of Ken Ludwig’s comedy Shakespeare in Hollywood to North Wales in August 2014.

Green Room drama classes for young people from 8-18 years old will begin again on Saturday September 7. If you would like to join this lively and vibrant group, you can either attend the registration evening at the Playhouse on Tuesday September 3, 6-7pm or come along to the first class. The junior class meets 9.30-10.30am and the senior class 10.45-11.45am. Adult drama classes also begin on 7th September from noon-1pm. For further information, contact Andrew Leggott on (01943) 602014 or e-mail a.leggott1@btinternet.com Singer Chris Berry performs in the Wildman on Saturday September 8 – tickets continue to sell well – and the rearranged social night featuring well-known Tickling the Ivories entertainer Michael Lunts (with welcoming drink and interval buffet) will take place on Saturday 28th September in the Wharfeside – tickets are £10 for each of these events. The next Stagefright Comedy Night is planned for Friday 27th September – full details to follow soon.

Looking ahead to October, we are very excited about welcoming cricket commentator and raconteur Henry Blofeld to the Wharfeside Theatre on Saturday 26 – tickets £15. With the Ashes series being in very recent memory when he takes to the stage he will doubtless be able to provide some inside information about the summer’s events and the forthcoming Australian tour to defend the Ashes.

The Playhouse is always on the look-out for new volunteers – backstage, front of house, on the bar, selling coffee or programmes. If you are interested in becoming a member or volunteering get in touch by e-mailing walter@ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk To book Playhouse events call (01943) 609539 from 9.30am-6.30pm, Monday to Friday. For further information visit ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk.