harrogate theatre Archives - Page 4 of 7

Tribute evening planned for stalwart of Harrogate pantomime

A much-loved stalwart of Harrogate Theatre’s pantomime is to be honoured with a tribute evening to raise funds in his memory.

Phil Lowe directed and co-wrote the theatre’s pantomime for 13 years before he died unexpectedly in October 2021.

Bring Me Sunshine: A Tribute To Phil Lowe will be an evening of songs and comedy routines performed by pantomime cast members past and present, plus a special guest appearance from UK Foo Fighters’ Jay Apperley.

Hosted by panto regulars Tim Stedman and Howard Chadwick, the one-off event, on Thursday, January 12 from 7.30pm, will be a celebration of Phil’s most memorable moments with Harrogate Theatre.

Audience members are invited to pay what they like for tickets, from £10 to £40; VIP tickets, which include a complimentary prosecco on arrival and canapés at the interval, cost £50, and boxes are £200.

The proceeds will be split between the British Heart Foundation and Phil’s children.

Harrogate Theatre misses out on Arts Council funding until 2026

Harrogate Theatre will not receive any funding from Arts Council England from next April until 2026.

The funding body had previously given the White Rose Theatre Trust, which runs the theatre, just over £140,000 a year since 2015 through its national portfolio scheme.

The last round of awards from 2018 to 2022 gave the theatre a total of £563,636.

In today’s funding announcement, however, the theatre misses out completely — and no other organisations in the Harrogate district are included either.

Deborah Larwood, chair of the Harrogate Theatre board, said:

“Following this news, the board and leadership team will take some time to reflect and reimagine our plans from April 2023, as we continue to support the [ACE] Let’s Create agenda and ensure that Harrogate Theatre continues to deliver a vibrant cultural offer for people of all ages across the Harrogate district.

“We will continue to work alongside Arts Council England and to advocate for the value of the arts in all our lives.”

In a statement, the theatre said it was disappointed by the news, but was grateful for ACE’s support to date.

It said the money had enabled the theatre not only to bring a “fantastic range” of artists to Harrogate, but also to engage with children and young people and to support emerging artists – as well as putting on the annual pantomime.

Arts Council funding has helped Harrogate Theatre to put on its popular annual pantomime. Photograph: Karl Andre

Theatre chief executive David Bown said:

“I am proud of the positive impact Harrogate Theatre has on our community. Our extensive programme of events and workshops reach an audience of over 150,000 per year due to the extraordinary talent and dedication of our staff, volunteers, board and the incredible artists on our stages.

“Harrogate Theatre has played a key role in the economic recovery of Harrogate post-pandemic and will continue to provide a rich artistic programme to inspire and entertain the town and its visitors.”

‘New organisations’

ACE said it was sharing out £446m each year across 990 organisations around England.

It said the list of organisations receiving funding was “richer and more varied than ever before”, featuring the likes of Blackpool illuminations, Unlimited in Yorkshire which commissions work by disabled artists, and community arts organisation intoBodmin.

ACE chief executive Darren Henley said:

“Together, each of the 990 organisations that have been offered funding today will contribute to a portfolio that is rich, varied and truly national. This is our widest ever spread of investment across the country, ensuring that many more people will have access to a wider choice of exceptional art, culture and creative opportunities on their doorsteps.

“We are in tough times but we must remember creativity brings with it extraordinary dividends, boosting our country’s economic growth, creating jobs, bringing communities closer together, and making us happier as individuals.

“Everyone deserves to enjoy the benefits it brings, and with this investment, we believe we’ve taken a decisive step towards making that vision a reality.”

The organisation’s chair, Sir Nicholas Serota, added:

“As well as continuing our commitment to our many established and renowned cultural organisations, I am deeply proud of the support we will be giving to those new organisations which will help ignite creativity across the country.

“We are facing economic pressures at present but this funding is about an investment in our future. This portfolio will support the next generation of visionary inventors, makers, performers and artists. In particular, the growth of our funding for organisations that support and develop work for children represents a profoundly important long-term investment in our country’s talent.”

Tim Stedman returns for 22nd panto at Harrogate Theatre

Harrogate pantomime star Tim Stedman will be returning for a 22nd season this festive season, it was announced today.

Mr Stedman has become as much a part of Christmas in Harrogate as the Bettys hamper and lights on the Stray.

He will return to play Wishee Washee in Aladdin, which runs from November 23 to January 15 at Harrogate Theatre.

This year’s performances include a socially distanced show on November 27 and a signed show on December 10.

https://twitter.com/HGtheatre/status/1577249795801894914

Panto regular Howard Chadwick will also be back, playing Widow Twankey, Ebony Feare will be the genie and Colin Kiyani takes the title role of Aladdin. Marcus Romer will direct the production at the town’s Victorian theatre.

It will be the first pantomime since 2019 not affected by covid.

David Bown, chief executive of the theatre, said:

“We are going back to the cast levels and production levels of 2019 and everything is going very well.

“Tim loves Harrogate as much as we live him. I’m excited to see the rest of the cast as well.”

Tickets are currently available for every day, but availability on some dates close to Christmas is extremely limited. Prices start at £18 on most days.

‘Fondly’ remembering the Queen’s visits to the Harrogate district

The links between the Queen and the Harrogate district stretch back decades, including a visit in 1952 before her coronation.

They include appearances at the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate to her trips to Ripon, including her 2004 visit for another important anniversary – 400 years since the granting of the city’s Royal Charter.

Reflecting on her visit on December 10, 1998, a spokesperson for Harrogate Theatre said:

“Harrogate Theatre fondly remembers her visit and the warmth she extended to our staff and members of the public. Our sincere condolences go out to the Royal Family.”

The Queen visits Harrogate Theatre in 1998. Photo: Harrogate Theatre.

The Queen touched the lives of all those who met her, including residents in the district. Many recalled those occasions just recently, when communities celebrated her platinum jubilee.

Janine Jennings, from Hampsthwaite, said:

“It was her Silver Jubilee 1977 and I was pulled out of the crowd to meet her and as I presented her the flowers, she asked if I had grown them myself. I said yes, but actually, my mum, Mrs Johnson and I borrowed them from the empty police house next to us. So I lied to the queen!

“This picture (below) appeared in the paper, my mum kept it framed in her bedroom. It was really very special to meet the Queen and I remember it clearly to this day and always will.”

Claire H Beresford-Robinson said:

“I was lucky to meet the Queen when she visited the Great Yorkshire Showground and our tent ‘Growing up in North Yorkshire’.

“I attended Woodlands School at the time. It was our moment to shine. The Queen looked at the work I was doing and said “splendid work”. I will never forget this moment.

“Our school was chosen to attend the same day the Queen was coming. I’ll never forget the fabulous feeling at age 11 to be told I was selected to meet the Queen.”

Claire H. Beresford-Robinson also sent the above photograph of the Queen looking at the work of Woodlands School pupils.

She said:

“This is me and my friends at Woodlands School with headteacher Mr Dunmore in the background.”

Karen Wenham said:

“I remember when I was in my last year at Starbeck CP School and the Queen came to visit in 1977. We all went up to the Great Yorkshire Showground and I took a posy of flowers for her. It always sticks in my mind.

“A couple of years ago I was invited to go to the palace, as I am an ambassador for a charity, and Sophie Wessex was lovely and we chatted.

“We were told the Queen was in residence that night and not to be surprised if she came down with her corgis, as she likes to surprise people.”

Rick Vai sent the photo below of the Queen visiting Knaresborough, which sparked memories from other residents.

Karen Allan said:

“They passed along King James Road, fronting King James School. We were all lined up for her.”

Sarah Brown added:

“I remember this. I was one of those school children lined up outside King James School in Knaresborough.”

Five year old Harrogate boy wins competition with ‘happy pizza’ design

A five year old Harrogate boy has won a charity competition that will see his ‘happy pizza’ on sale at a local cafe.

The competition, organised by the Ripon Amateur Operatic Society, was made to promote the local show ‘Oliver!’ . Around 60 school kids sent in drawings of pizza designs.

Henry Elvin, aged five, was the winner. His pizza face had a ham smile, pepperoni eyes, a tomato nose and sweetcorn for hair.

Competition winner Henry (middle) with his Mum (Katy) & Dad (Dan) and two actors from ‘Oliver,’ Amber & Grace

The creation will be on sale at Starling Independent Bar Cafe Kitchen, and £2.00 of every pizza bough will be donated to the Harrogate District Foodbank. Henry also won four tickets to see Oliver next week.

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Hannah Ruddy, from the Ripon Amateur Operatic Society , said:

“Some of the themes in Oliver! surround poverty and going without. Sadly, we are all too aware there is still a huge issue and far too many people have to rely on the support of organisations, such as local foodbanks.

“As well as providing a food donation point at Harrogate Theatre foyer throughout the show’s run, we also wanted to get younger people involved, and thought the competition would be a nice way to raise awareness. We are grateful to Starling for joining us in this and agreeing to make a donation from their weekly special.”

‘Oliver!’ will be shown at Harrogate theatre from 20th-23rd April, and will feature 25 local children from ages six years old and above.

Harrogate Theatre scaffolding to come down from this weekend

The scaffolding that has covered one of Harrogate’s most-loved historical landmarks for almost a year will be coming down from this weekend.

Harrogate Theatre was in need of a huge, £1 million restoration on its roof. The works were initially meant to be completed last September but covid delays and bad weather meant they were only finished last month.

As a council-owned building, the project has been run in conjunction with Harrogate Borough Council and Harrogate Theatre Trust.

Now that additional works to the building on Oxford Street have been completed, Harrogate Borough Council has confirmed the scaffolding will be dismantled from this weekend.

The scaffolding on Oxford Street will come down first with the rest on Cheltenham Parade coming down towards the end of the month.

A council spokesperson said:

“Like any heritage building of this age, the investment project at Harrogate Theatre has been complex and faced a number of challenges. Not least, material and labour shortages – impacted by Covid-19 and isolation requirements – as well as the numerous storms in the last few months.

“During the removal of the scaffolding, final work will take place to re-point brickwork, re-glaze the canopy above the front entrance, along with decoration to the windows and the shop frontages.”

The renovations haven’t been without their challenges, during stormy weather in November and February the theatre had to close and cancel performances. In November, the theatre had to cancel a full weekend of its pantomime performances due to a leak and again in February, the final performance of Kinky Boots was cancelled after a second leak.

There was also an incident in January where three young teens scaled the roof and caused £800 damage.

Despite all the ongoing works the theatre has continued to stage multiple productions including its annual pantomime.

It is not clear if the delays have caused the £1 million restoration fee to increase.

Ripon actors to stage Oliver! after a twist in their tale

Ripon Amateur Operatic Society is finally set to stage Oliver! after a two-year wait and behind the scenes dramas.

The award-winning musical will be staged at Harrogate Theatre from April 20 to 23.

The production was delayed by covid and thrown into some doubt, when RAOS could not contact Crewe-based rights holder MusicScope, to whom a £500 deposit had been paid to secure the rights for the show.

RAOS committee member Hannah Ruddy told the Stray Ferret:

“Over more than a year, we attempted to contact them via the telephone number and email address that is on their website. I made dozens of phone calls and sent at least 15 emails, but there has been no response.

“We even sought legal advice, because without the rights we were facing the prospect of having to call off the show, as well as being out of pocket.”

The Stray Ferret has also attempted to contact MusicScope via the telephone number and email address on their website and, at the time of publication, had not received a response.

Hannah Ruddy says the show will go on despite hold-ups and a financial blow.

In the difficult position it was facing, RAOS contacted MTI, which owns the rights to a newer version of Oliver! and following an initial refusal, the application for the rights to perform the musical was finally approved after weeks of negotiations.

Ms Ruddy said:

“MTI were clearly sympathetic to our situation. We even sent them a picture of the cast and highlighted the fact that these kids had already had so much taken away from them over the pandemic.

“We just wanted them to have something to look forward to and know all the hard work they’d put in hadn’t been for nothing.”

Two-year wait

RAOS, which holds its rehearsals at Ripon Arts Hub, was originally due to stage its production of Oliver! at Harrogate Theatre in April 2020.

Following the first covid lockdown, the show was rescheduled for September 2021. However, Harrogate Borough Council’s need to carry out urgent roof repairs at the Victorian building meant that the show could not go on last year.

Ms Ruddy said:

“Now, we’ve got fingers crossed that we are third time lucky and there are no last-minute dramas. Advance ticket sales are good and we hope that our supporters in Ripon, Harrogate and across the district, will come to enjoy the show.”

For ticket bookings and further information click on https://www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/Oliver

Three teens on Harrogate Theatre roof plead guilty to causing £800 damage

Three teenagers have pleaded guilty to causing £800 worth of damage after climbing on to the roof of Harrogate Theatre.

Police arrested the youths on January 25 after being called to reports of young people on the roof at the 122-year-old theatre on Cheltenham Parade.

The three males, who are aged 14, 15 and 17 and can’t be named for legal reasons, were sentenced at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday. They all live in Harrogate.

They all admitted damaging scaffolding to the value of £300 and causing £500 damage to a Ford transit van belonging to nearby Scandinavian cafe Baltzersen’s.

The 15-year-old was referred to North Yorkshire youth offender panel for 12 months and ordered to pay £200 compensation.

The 17-year-old was referred to North Yorkshire youth offender panel for six months and ordered to pay £200 compensation.

He also breached a 12-month conditional discharge order received in October for driving without insurance or due care and attention. No action was taken on this breach.

The 14-year-old received a six-month conditional discharge order and ordered to pay £200.

Harrogate firefighters and police attended the 4am incident on January 25.

The theatre is undergoing a £1 million refurbishment that is due to be completed this month. Scaffolding remains in place.

Do you have a Harrogate Theatre love story to share?

On Valentine’s Day, Harrogate Theatre is asking people to share their theatre love stories to form the base for its next community performance.

Last year the theatre got local people involved in its Our Gate production and now it wants to do so again.

It is looking for 122 love stories linked to Harrogate Theatre, to match it being open for 122 years.

It could be a story about meeting a best friend in the stalls, or locking eyes with your sweetheart across the stage, or even a production that made you fall in love with the theatre. The stories will then serve as a backdrop for performances in August.

The project was inspired by a photograph, seen by chief executive David Bown, of a wedding reception held at the theatre in 1961. He said:

“It prompted me to contemplate how many love stories does this amazing building have to tell. Harrogate Theatre has been at the centre of our community for over a century, it has many poignant tales to share.”

The community show will be put on by local playwright and community producer Rachael Halliwell and director Amie Burns-Walker.

Ms Halliwell said:

“I’m absolutely thrilled to have been commissioned by Harrogate Theatre to return with Amie Burns-Walker to make our biggest and boldest community play to date, but we cannot do it without you.

“We need local participants of all ages to join us on this production – not just actors but anyone who is up for being creative and telling stories with us.”

To share you story or get involved on or back stage email love@harrogatetheatre.co.uk.

Workshops start in March with performances taking place in early August. Participation is open to everyone aged 13 and above and no experience is necessary.

Harrogate theatre roof repairs could be finished this month

The longstanding roof repairs at Harrogate Theatre could be finished this month, it was announced today after another performance was cancelled due to a leak at the weekend.

The final performance of Kinky Boots, by Harrogate Operatic Players, was cancelled at late notice on Saturday night after a backstage leak raised concerns about the electrics.

The decision, taken on safety grounds after a day of heavy rain, disappointed both performers and audience alike.

Some audience members had already taken their seats so the cast chose to perform a few numbers from the award-winning musical with just the house lights on.

Work to replace the roof has been taking place since May.

It is not the first time a performance has been cancelled due to a leak since the roof repairs began. The recent pantomime season was also affected.

Work to replace the 121-year old Victorian theatre roof began in May. It was due to finish in September but this was put back to March.

David Bown, chief executive of the theatre, said today it could be finished this month if there are no further incidents. He said:

“The last time I spoke to the contractors they were ahead of schedule, it could even be the end of this month. The area that was leaking was backstage and that has been repaired.

We’d only cancel a show if absolutely necessary but the safety of everyone in the theatre had to take priority.”