Stage

After the weekend, Alan Ayckbourn’s best-known comedy Bedroom Farce opens for a fortnight’s run from Monday in Ilkley Playhouse’s Wharfeside Theatre.

Walter Swann, of the Playhouse, said: “Funny, intriguing and acutely observed (as one expects from Ayckbourn), this sophisticated comedy reveals the truth about middle-class marriage.

“During the course of one night and morning, an outrageously selfish couple expose their problems within the bedrooms of three other couples, uncovering the cracks in their own and other people’s marriages as they do so. “This is ‘Ayckbourn's comic masterpiece’ according to The Daily Telegraph critic.”

The Playhouse’s production is directed by Pam Gresty, assisted by Jim Baker, and boasts an impressive cast of John and Jacquie Howard, Dermot Hill, Becky Kordowicz, Mark Simister, Kate Dobson, David Kirk (the theatre’s artistic sirector) and Liz Hall.

Film

On Saturday, the Ilkley Playhouse is screening Le Week-End at 4pm (in association with CineYorkshire).

Walter said: “This movie has proved extremely popular since its release last year and features a British couple attempting to enjoy a second honeymoon in Paris after their 30-year-old marriage has gone a little stale. However, and inevitably, complications arise when a third party enters into the proceedings.”

The film stars Jeff Goldblum, Lindsay Duncan and Jim Broadbent. Tickets are £4.

On Sunday, May 4, Fleapit Cinema’s screening will be Saving Mr Banks, the recent hit starring Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson, revealing the behind-the-scenes negotiations leading up to the making of the Disney classic Mary Poppins. The screening will be at 2pm (doors open at 1.30pm) with an intermission for tea/coffee and cakes. Tickets are £5. The film will also be shown at 7pm (with no intermission) for £4.

Books

The next Spring Literary Talk at Ilkley Playhouse will be on Sunday, featuring Hilary Roper, the children’s author and illustrator. Her most famous book, Macfaddion’s Finest Hour, was published in 1990. It was chosen by the Lancashire Children’s Librarian Association as their entry for the Children’s Book of the Year Award, 1991. The illustrations were highly valued by Sotheby’s. Hilary is currently writing novels and painting large contemporary landscapes. Her talk should appeal to general readers of any age (particularly parents with young children) as well as to potential writers and artists.

Comedy

On Saturday, May 17, Alfie Moore makes a welcome return to the Playhouse with his Edinburgh preview special, The Naked Stun. Alfie is also about to star in his own BBC Radio 4 show It’s A Fair Cop. Walter said: “Alfie tasers his way through a brand new hour of hilarious and fascinating anecdotes drawn from his 18 years on the beat.

“Described by Rhod Gilbert as ‘fascinating and funny’, Alfie is an original and distinctive comedian with his niche area as a serving police sergeant.”

Support acts include Rachel Fairburn, who will be previewing material from her Edinburgh Festival show All The Fun Of The Fairburn; Dotty Winters, a Funny Women Finalist 2013; and guest compere Ryan Gleeson, a regular compere at Blackpool’s The Comedy Station.

  • To book Playhouse events, call (01943) 609539 from 9.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday. To book online, visit ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk.