LOOKING ahead to the New Year, Ilkley Playhouse offers a feast of plays and events to see you through January and beyond. Peter Morgan’s historic drama Frost/Nixon opens in the Wharfeside theatre on Thursday 13th January. The play begins with Nixon’s 1974 announcement that he will resign as President of the USA following the Watergate scandal. The end of an era perhaps, but the beginning of a great hunger amongst the U.S. public. A hunger that will only be satisfied if President Nixon admits that he committed criminal acts of wrongdoing, that he abused the power he had as president and that he apologise. So ensues a fascinating game of cat and mouse between the disgraced former U.S. President and the British talk show host David Frost. Each man has his own personal motives for entering into an agreement for what would become a historic set of interviews. Whether you know anything about the Watergate scandal or the history of the Frost/Nixon TV interview, this play is a must-see, exposing the vanity of politics, corruption and power. Please note that there will be two socially distanced performances: Thursday 13th January (opening night) and Monday 17th January.

On Saturday 29th January Ilkley Playhouse welcomes back Shazia Merza to frontline our Stagefright Comedy Club. Shazia has been top of the bill at comedy venues all over the world and who has a vast array of TV credits including Have I Got News For You, QI, Top Gear, The Jonathon Ross Show and many more. Her fellow performers include Micky P Kerr (Britain’s Got Talent Grand Finalist), Matty Oxley (described as ‘a natural story teller with razor sharp lines, quick wit and a strong ability to control the room’), Sarah Johnson (voted Best Midlands Comedy Breakthrough Act 2017), Kyle Kraze (‘has such energy and likeability’) and well known compere and event organiser Anthony J Brown. As usual there will be informal cabaret style seating and plenty of opportunities to visit the bar. It promises to be a great night so don’t miss out and get your tickets now.

Let Ilkley Playhouse take you back in time with Matt Hartley's moving, funny and charming play, Here I Belong. It’s Elsie’s 90th birthday and you are invited to celebrate with her in the village where she has lived all her life. She has seen wars, weddings, elections, funerals, people coming and people going. Here I Belong tells her story over six decades – from the Coronation in 1953 to her birthday on the night of each performance. The play originally toured in 2016 and has been described as “intimate and affecting” and will “fill you with the warmth of country living”. The play runs from the 8th to the 12th February in the Wildman Studio.

Back by popular demand, the Rob Dylan Band returns to Ilkley Playhouse on Saturday 19th February. Formed by a group of musicians who share a passion for the music of Bob Dylan, their performance captures the spirit of the Rolling Thunder Revue with exciting, dynamic playing and powerful vocals. It was a sell-out performance the last time they performed at Ilkley Playhouse so book your tickets early!

A very special member of Ilkley Playhouse will be returning to the Wharfeside theatre on Wednesday 23rd February: our patron Alan Titchmarsh. He will be welcomed home for a splendid evening of anecdotes, insight and laughter. Alan has been a long-standing supporter of Ilkley Playhouse, having received encouragement in 1963 from his schoolteacher David Wildman (who was also our Artistic Director) to join the Playhouse aged fourteen. Alan is looking forward to being back. He says: “I still cherish my association with the Players, and I do hope it will continue for many years.” An Evening with Alan Titchmarsh will end with a Q&A session.

Please note that the Ilkley Playhouse office and building will be closed for Christmas from 3pm on Wednesday 22nd December and will reopen at 10am on Tuesday 4th January. Telephone messages, Facebook messages and emails will not be monitored during this time but will be picked up on our return.

For details of all our plays and events and to book tickets visit www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk