A famous Nidderdale killer is to be subject of a new production by Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society in October.
The historical play, entitled ‘Eugene Aram’, will follow the life of one England’s most notorious murderers.
Born in Ramsgill in 1704, Eugene Aram was a self-taught scholar who set up a school in Knaresborough. Yet, for more than a hundred years, he was better known in England for his crimes.
He was accused of the murder of a Knaresborough shoemaker, tried and convicted in York, and hanged at Tyburn on the Knavesmire.
The story of his life and trial has been written by Nidderdale writer Nevin Ward, whose previous local history plays ‘The Dam Play’ and ‘Gouthwaite Hall’ have been very popular.
Mr Ward said the play won’t be at the playhouse but in a local church:
“We love performing in the playhouse, but while it’s closed for renovation, St Cuthbert’s is the ideal location – the raised central dais in the church lends itself to a large cast play where 20 actors play over 40 characters”.
Nevin Ward is well known for the music he incorporates into his works, and ‘Eugene Aram’ will include several songs, many of them written for the production.
‘Eugene Aram’ will be staged in St Cuthbert’s Church in Pateley Bridge from Tuesday 11 October to Saturday 15 October at 7.30 pm, all tickets costing £9. Tickets are on sale now and bookings will be from the website www.pateleyplayhouse.co.uk
Pateley Bridge drama group puts on play about wartime bombing of Majestic HotelPateley Bridge Dramatic Society returns next week with a play set in 1940 questioning the cause of the Second World War bombing of the Majestic Hotel.
‘The Stray’, a play written by Nidderdale playwright and member of the society Keith Burton, explores what might have happened in Harrogate during the week before the hotel was bombed on September 12, 1940.
The play begins on Sunday, September 8 when Buckingham Palace was bombed. This triggered The Coats Mission – a top secret plan for the evacuation of the royal family from London.
One of the proposed temporary homes was Newby Hall, Ripon, with Winston Churchill staying at Grove House across from Harrogate Fire Station.
On Thursday, September 12 the Majestic hotel was bombed by a ‘stray’ plane as part of a larger raid. This was the only bomb to fall on Harrogate during the war and questions have surrounded its motive ever since.
The play centres around one possible scenario with the added drama of love, betrayal, heroism and espionage during the Second World War.
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Writer and director Keith Burton said:
“The Stray was originally commissioned as part of North Yorkshire’s calendar of events to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe. These celebrations were massively disrupted by covid but it does mean that the second ever production of this play about the secrets of the Second World War in Harrogate will be by my local dramatic society – which thrills me enormously.”
During rehearsals
The play was previously performed by Harrogate Dramatic Society in November.
The play is being performed at Pateley Bridge Memorial Hall whilst renovations continue at the playhouse between Tuesday, June 14 and Saturday, June 18. Tickets can be booked here.
Pateley Playhouse re-opening delayed until springThe scheduled autumn reopening of Pateley Playhouse has been delayed until next spring.
The theatre, in Pateley Bridge, has been undergoing major renovations, including work to the downstairs and foyer area and to install a lift.
But work has paused while Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society, which oversees the theatre and its productions, finds a new contractor to take on the works.
It means November’s performance of Educating Rita will take place in Pateley Bridge Memorial Hall instead.
The Playhouse has been closed throughout the pandemic.
Keith Burton, the society’s treasurer, said it was getting quotes from a number of local firms but he was expecting to have to raise more funds due to the delays:
“We are expecting to be affected by an uplift in building material costs due to shortages and the limited availability of builders due to current levels of demand for their services.
“We have cost overrun contingencies but only when we see the tender returns will we know if affordability issues will require another hard press on fundraising.
“We are continuing to seek donations as we know there will be pressures.”
He added work was expected to resume towards the end of the year.
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Disabled access
Renovating the historic 1930s Playhouse while retaining its character has been a complex project.
The first floor auditorium was only accessible via two steep staircases and a lift was needed to comply with disabled access regulations.
Despite the setbacks, the society is adamant it is “business as usual”.
After staging Educating Rita in the new venue, the Playhouse Juniors will also be performing at Brimham Rocks Adventure Park this weekend.
To support the Playhouse’s fundraising, click here.
Work to install a lift at Pateley Playhouse is underway as part of a £35,000 renovation project.
The theatre began a fundraising campaign in December to raise £20,000. It hopes to be eligible for grants to cover the remaining £15,000.
Donations to a crowdfunding page are now approaching £3,000 while further donations directly to the theatre have brought in £14,000.
Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society has begun the work before the appeal has finished so the renovations can be completed while the theatre is closed due to covid.
The lift will make the 1930s building fully accessible to disabled people. Currently the first floor auditorium is only accessible via two steep staircases.
So far, the bulk of work has been done on the lower level to knock down the walls separating the changing rooms and the foyer area to create the required space for the lift.
Works are continuing at Pateley Playhouse.
The work is scheduled to be completed by autumn when, it is hoped, covid restrictions will be lifted in time for performances to be staged before the end of the year.
The theatre has received two large donations from West Riding Masonic Charities Ltd and the Vale of Nidd Masonic Lodge, totalling £2,500.
Jerry Anderson, charity steward for the Vale of Nidd Masonic Lodge, said:
“The lodge have supported many good local causes, as well as national charities, and the Pateley Bridge Playhouse certainly holds a special place in the hearts of many in Nidderdale.
“We are incredibly proud to make a sizeable contribution to the continuing building works.”
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The dramatic society said the theatre is a social hub for the community and hoped to have it back up and running as soon as it is allowed. Members thanked all of those who have supported the renovations so far.
Ruth Dodsworth, president of the dramatic society, said:
Pateley Playhouse launches £35,000 renovation appeal“The community in the dale has pulled together and we have been humbled by the efforts of so many people to make contributions in these difficult economic times. We are grateful for all donations, whatever the amount.”
A £35,000 fundraising campaign is underway to install a lift for people with disabilities at the Pateley Playhouse.
Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society, which is based at the theatre, is coordinating efforts to raise the sum.
The society said it is eligible for a £15,000 grant and hopes to raise the additional £20,000 via a crowdfunding page.
Renovating the historic 1930s Playhouse will be a complex project but the society has said the character of the building will remain intact.
Currently the first floor auditorium is only accessible via two steep staircases and a lift is required to comply with building regulations regarding disabled access.
The lower floor, which includes the bar, foyer and actors’ changing rooms will be re-arranged to accommodate the lift. Depending on funding, work is scheduled to start early 2021.
The Playhouse can seat up to 73 spectators but is currently closed due to the pandemic.
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The society said it hoped that undertaking renovations during this period of covid-enforced closure would enable it to hit the ground running when it reopens next year.
Eileen Burgess, one of the founding members of The Playhouse in 1968, said:
“The Playhouse is such an important part of the community in Nidderdale and these renovations will make it even more inclusive for all members of the public.
“I can think of no better time to make these upgrades in the current circumstances and I hope the public will be enthused to pull together and raise the funds needed to start the process as soon as possible.”
To support the fundraising effort, click here.
No plans for district theatres to move performances outdoorsDespite being allowed to move plays and performances outside as of Monday, theatres across the district have said it isn’t possible right now.
Yesterday the government announced that outdoor performances can take place with socially distanced audiences from July 11. However, theatre groups across the district have said it would not be possible due to cost and rehearsal time.
The Ripon Amateur Operatic Society is hoping to start rehearsals for its upcoming production of Chicago but says that an outdoor production wouldn’t be feasible.
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Phill Ruddy, director and choreographer for the society said:
“I think it’s a bit wider than the time needed and cost, we don’t have places in Harrogate where we could do open air performances. We are charities and we can’t spend twenty grand on an outdoor venue.”
The Ripon Amateur Operatic Society was due to perform Oliver at Harrogate Theatre back in April.
Similarly, the Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society has suspended all its performances with no set date to reopen. However, the president of the society Ruth Dodsworth said it is considering doing a ghost walk but everything is up in the air.
She said:
“We would like to do something if possible in order to keep everyone interested and aware that things are still going ahead. We would like to do outdoor productions but it is such a long process.”