ON Thursday 3rd March The Hound of the Baskervilles opens at Ilkley Playhouse. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most celebrated Sherlock Holmes case gets a gloriously funny makeover in this hilarious take on the legendary gothic mystery with over fourteen characters being played by just a trio of actors. It is unlikely that writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ever envisaged The Hound of the Baskervilles being turned into a comedy. The Sherlock Holmes tale is set on the desolate landscape of Dartmoor in 1889, where the great detective and Dr Watson investigate an ancient family curse at Baskerville Hall that causes its victims to be mauled by a demonic dog. Yet in 2007 the acclaimed comedy theatre company Peepolykus chose this as the first classic British text to be given their surreal treatment, and in 2007 it premiered at the West Yorkshire Playhouse (as it was known then) and hailed as “a zany, farcical and fast paced production bursting with gags and laughter’. The play is still perfect for anyone who is a fan of the book or the film as there are nods to both throughout. The play really celebrates the story of The Hound of the Baskervilles and its rich characters but invites the audience to laugh and enjoy some brilliant comedic storytelling in the process. If you’re looking for an out and out spoof then this is just the ticket! The Hound of the Baskervilles runs until Saturday 12th March. Please note that the performance on Monday 7th March will have socially distanced seating.

Back by popular demand, the Rob Dylan Band returns to Ilkley Playhouse this 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!

Ilkley Playhouse is delighted to welcome JVB Productions to the Wildman Studio on Friday 25th February to perform The Circle of Life. Having lost her job a matter of weeks before lockdown, Julie Victoria Boyle decided to write. And The Circle of Life is the play she wrote during the global pandemic of 2020. There are moments in our life that define us for the better... And moments that scar us for life. But it's a game we all have to play. It's an ever turning, never stopping circle of life. Even when your turn is over, the circle never stops spinning. Come and join us as we share some poignant, funny, bitter, sweet moments in time. You can't erase the past, you can only look forward and enjoy the ride as best you can. Please note that this production contains swearing and strong adult themes and we suggest an advisory age of 16+.

We have some great live music events coming up in March and April starting with the return of Laurel Canyon Union and Nick Hall on Friday 25th March. Expect the gentle reflection of James Taylor to the rebel fury of Neil Young, with favourites from Jackson Browne, the Eagles, The Byrds, Crosby Stills & Nash and many more along the way. On Saturday 26th March the Otley-based, high energy, folk, rock and roll Jon Palmer Acoustic Band perform. They are best described as “exploding out of the same box as The Pogues, The Saw Doctors, and The Waterboys”.

On Friday 1st April Cilla and the Swinging 60s perform at Ilkley Playhouse for the first time. Expect a highly entertaining show, stylishly celebrating the life and music of the legendary Cilla Black aswell as a handpicked selection of her well known contemporaries, including Dusty Springfield, Lulu, Petula Clark and The Beatles. Starring the unforgettable voice and previous West End Singer Sandy Smith as Cilla, the show will take you on a journey through many of the greatest pop songs of the 1960s.

On Saturday 2nd April, we see the return of the popular The Art of Simon featuring special guest Graham Hodge. Lose yourself in nostalgia as Bryan and Jeremy perform the classic hits of Simon and Garfunkel. The Art of Simon faithfully recreate Paul Simon’s songs from Mrs Robinson, through to Homeward Bound and Bridge over Troubled Water. If you are a lover of contemporary music, this is a show you must not miss.

For details of all our plays and events and to book tickets visit www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk or contact Ilkley Playhouse box office on 01943 609539.