The Playhouse, in Pateley Bridge, is due to reopen this April after a 3-year refurbishment with a production of Phillip King’s ‘See How They Run’.

Fundraising for renovations began in 2020 with an initial aim to raise £75,000, but the eventual expenditure reached £120,000.

The theatre, which originated as a Methodist chapel over 160 years ago, required renovations to legally comply with building regulations and disability access.

Previously, it had no easy access for patrons or visitors with limited mobility.

To sort out these issues, the theatre launched multiple fundraising avenues, including the ‘Give the Playhouse A Lift’ campaign on Justgiving and a Local Lotto scheme.

1964: The building was originally a Methodist chapel

The money raised has funded a rebuild of the lower level of the auditorium – maximising the available space – as well as providing a lift for disabled audience members.

The expansion of the lower level will help people moving between the bar, foyer, and auditorium, and will ensure better ventilation.

The changes will also be in line with new covid regulations.

The new disabled lift (L) and renovated bar area (R)

Eileen Burgess, the most senior member of the Playhouse, said:

“We have long considered the need for improved disabled access and the enforced closure has given us the chance to tackle the issue.”

“It is a complex project, given the layout of our historic building, but we are determined to preserve the unique character of the Playhouse while achieving greater accessibility”.

The theatre still needs a further £20,000 to finish the work.

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The theatre’s renovation will be unveiled by Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society’s adaptation of ‘See How They Run’.

The play tells the comedic story of a paranoid spinster, who believes the wife of her beloved vicar is having an affair, and attempts to expose the infidelity.

The Society has promised attendees “a night of non-stop laughter”.

The performances will run from Monday 17 – Saturday 22 April at 7.30pm.

All tickets cost £10 and can be bought here.

A Harrogate district theatre company has been saved by a £24,383 grant from Arts Council England.

Badapple Theatre Company, which is based in Green Hammerton, was awarded the funding ahead of its 25th anniversary.

The theatre, set up by Kate Bramley in 1998, aims to take productions to harder to reach areas of Yorkshire and across the country.

Ms Bramley said:

“It has been a hard few years for everyone in the arts and for Badapple too.

We were delighted to have survived the covid lockdowns in good shape, making sure we found new ways to keep our communities engaged and upbeat, particularly our youth theatre. 

“But two unsuccessful requests for funding support from the Arts Council across the autumn and winter of 2022 meant we were looking at having to close the company this year. All our reserves of finance and energy had gone, quite frankly.”

She added:

“So this support means a huge amount to us and the small communities that we serve right across the country — on this upcoming project from Somerset to Northumberland — in all the small places where we can spread a bit of theatre joy and bring folk together.”

The funding will also go towards Badapple’s Youth Theatre, which meets weekly in Green Hammerton during term time. 

The company is set to embark on a national tour of the 1960s comedy Eddie and the Gold in April as part of its 25th anniversary.

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• ‘Theatre on your doorstep’ returns to communities across Harrogate district
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Find it all a little too overhyped and mushy? If you are looking for something different to the dozen red roses and dinner out this Valentine’s week, there are events happening in the Harrogate district that may be an option for you and your loved one.

Whether you’re into the supernatural, a night at the Opera or just an evening of laughter, here are four ideas for an interesting, if less romantic, night out.

My Bloody Valentine – Ouija Event

If you really are anti-Valentine’s and seeking something sinister this year, Paul Forster and Dead Northern’s séance may be an option.

The event will take place on the rooftop of the Yorkshire Hotel in Harrogate on Saturday 11 February, from 7pm – 10pm.

Organisers say guests can expect “a cross between an interactive séance and a psychological spook show”. There will be a Ouija board present at the event – some may even attempt to connect with spirits passed.

Tickets include entry to the event and a hot meal in the intermission.

Guests are invited to bring a personal item with them to add value to their experience.

Ticket prices start at £33.30.

For more information, click here.

Four Weddings and a Murder

Keeping in line with the darker side of love, an immersive murder mystery event, Four Weddings and a Murder, will take place at Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate.

The event will run from 7.30pm – 10.30pm on Friday 24 February.

Guests join a group of friends celebrating a wedding, during which a murder takes place. The audience are invited to help solve the murder before it’s too late.

The night includes a three-course meal. Guests can also upgrade their tickets to include an overnight stay in the hotel with breakfast the following morning.

Tickets for the event start from £51.

Find more information here.

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Royal Opera House Live: The Barber of Seville

On a slightly more romantic note, if culture is what you are looking for this Valentine’s, Everyman Cinema is hosting a live stream of the Royal Opera House’s adaptation of “The Barber of Seville”.

The Everyman Cinema is located in the centre of Harrogate.

The Italian comic opera tells the story of a young girl, Rosina. After falling in love with a mysterious suitor, Rosina must use her cunning wit and disguises to outsmart her calculated guardian.

The live stream will take place on Wednesday 15 February at 6.45pm.

Click here for more information.

Harrogate Theatre: Bouncers

Budding thespians might fancy a trip to the local theatre this Valentine’s. John Godber Company presents “Bouncers” at Harrogate Theatre.

The play will run from 13-15 February, with both evening and matinee performances.

The play follows four friends reliving a night in a Yorkshire disco in the 1980’s. Guests can expect all aspects of the night out on stage, including the DJ and even a fish & chip van.

Tickets for the play start at £18.

Find more information here.

A play exploring the life of one of Harrogate’s most famous citizens premieres at the Royal Hall tomorrow — a theatre he helped to build.

Samson Fox, who died in 1903, was an inventor, philanthropist and Harrogate mayor, whose legacy is evident throughout the town.

The Man Who Captured Sunlight explores Samson’s life and controversial legal battle with author Jerome K Jerome.

Yorkshire actor Joe Standerline stars as the inventor, whose ideas had a major impact around the world.

His greatest creation, the corrugated boiler flue, saved thousands of lives and revolutionised engine construction.

His philanthropic legacy to the arts includes the creation of the Royal Hall and the Royal College of Music in London.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret at the dress rehearsal, Mr Standerline said:

“He takes interesting to another level. I feel a bit boring in comparison. There is definitely pressure to become one of the most uber human beings that has ever walked the planet. The guy was simply amazing.

“I think the people of Harrogate are definitely in for a treat. We’ve put the work in and we now get to play in this astounding theatre. Samson paid for a fair dollop of the place. We are ready now to project this piece.

“It’s part biopic, part period drama. The language in it is absolutely delicious and it’s surprisingly funny.”

As the great grandfather to actors Edward and James Fox, Samson also helped to create the UK’s most famed theatrical acting dynasty.

His grandchildren and great-grandchildren have starred in major TV shows and movies, from Edward Fox in the Day of the Jackal, to Emilia Fox in Silent Witness, and Freddie Fox in The Crown.

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• Famous acting family set for play premiere in Harrogate
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Freddie Fox will attend the matinee performance and take part in an audience Q&A. The actor Joanna David, Freddie’s mother, will also attend.

Freddie Fox (photo by Tavistock Wood) and Samson Fox.

Mr Standerline, who has appeared in TV series such as ITV’s Victoria, joked:

“I’ll just say I’m perfectly fine with it. There’s no pressure at all performing in front of one of the greatest acting dynasties in the whole history of cinema and the theatre.”

Mr Standerline said the people of Harrogate had been extremely welcoming. He added:

“It’s been great spending the last few weeks here, integrating ourselves into the community that we are representing. It is a responsibility and we are taking it seriously and we can’t wait to get people in these seats.”

Born into poverty

Samson was born into poverty in Bradford in 1838 and worked in the mills from the age of nine. An impresario of his day, he famously ‘bottled the sun’ as Harrogate’s streets became the first thoroughfares in the world to be lit with his Fox Water-Gas.

Samson Fox and his family.

The play, written by Doctor Who writer Gavin Collinson, charts Samson’s meteoric rise, followed by the 19th century libel trial involving the author and editor, Jerome K Jerome.

Mr Collinson told the Stray Ferret:

“What I wanted to do is show his human side, show his family, show his heart. I wanted to show everything he risked, which was his considerable fortune, to clear his name. I also wanted to look into his ambiguities. Was he a good man? Hopefully that’s something the play explores.

“When the opportunity came up to tell his story, it was something I couldn’t refuse.

“The Fox family have read the script and they were incredibly kind. I hope they enjoy it tomorrow.

“I’m in awe of all the cast. I just sit there and write the lines but they bring it to life.

“I hope the people in Harrogate will enjoy the play. It’s a cast of Northern voices. There’s a reality and celebration of where we are from and I hope people embrace that.”

Cause UK, the Harrogate-based creative agency, has produced and sponsored  the play.

The Man Who Captured Sunlight premieres in Harrogate’s Royal Hall tomorrow, with the matinee at 2.30pm and evening performance at 7pm. Buy tickets here.

Sponsored by the Gilbert & Sullivan Festival.

Audiences can double their fun at the Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Harrogate this year with a special buy one ticket, get one free FESTIVAL TASTER offer.

The 28th festival will open at the stunning Royal Hall on Wednesday, August 10, where it will be for 12 days of outstanding entertainment.

There will be 20 performances at the Royal Hall alongside a memorabilia fair with a programme of lectures, concerts and more.

During the festival you can enjoy shows from the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company.

The company will bring all-time favourite The Pirates of Penzance, an enchanting production of Iolanthe and a lavish, rarely performed production of Utopia Limited.

An incredible crowd in the Royal Hall for the Gilbert & Sullivan Festival.

Opera della Luna, Charles Court Opera and Forbear! Theatre will also bring HMS Pinafore, The Mikado, Patience and an all-singing and dancing production of The Gondoliers.

So, if you have never seen Gilbert & Sullivan before, or your memories flash back to The Play That Goes Wrong in a draughty village hall, then the festival organisers would like you to join in the fun this year and see just how well it can be done.

There’s never been a better time to get involved with a rare buy one ticket, get one free offer. All you need to do is use code TASTER22 on the Gilbert & Sullivan website or by calling 01422 323252. This offer expires on Friday, August 9, 2022.

It’s Greased Lightning! Young actors from Boroughbridge are taking to the stage tonight to put on Grease the musical.

The youth group of The Hightimers, an amateur theatre company, are putting on the musical two years later than originally planned.

The show was casted in 2020 but due to the pandemic it had to be delayed. After a few cast stages and new members, the kids can finally take to the stage.

The ‘Pink Ladies’

The first show is this evening at 7.30pm in the Coronation Hall. It will be performed at the same time on Friday and Saturday evening as well as a 1.30pm Saturday matinee show.

Director, Marlo Lomas, said:

“The kids have worked so hard and so have the crew to ensure that we put on a cracking show for the audience. So, for all you Greasers Pink Ladies out there let’s go back in time together and support these kids. You will not be disappointed.”

Tickets can be bought online, here, Boroughbridge Post Office, cafe Chez Nous and Ripon’s Realitea.

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The “T-Birds” 

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.”

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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 cancelled a performance of Kinky Boots at late notice last night due to another leak at the venue.

Harrogate Operatic Players was due to give its final performance of the musical, which has won six Tony Awards.

The show has taken place nightly in the town since Tuesday and had a matinee and evening performance lined up yesterday.

But the theatre cancelled the evening event at late notice, disappointing theatre goers, after a day of heavy rain.

The cast did come out to perform the finale to a standing ovation.

Harrogate Operatic Players posted on its Facebook page:

Second recent leak

The theatre said on social media a leak on stage had made the venue unsafe and apologised to customers.

“Unfortunately an onstage leak has made it unsafe to continue despite the company and the theatre’s best efforts.”

We’d like to extend our apologies to the audience, cast and crew of Kinky Boots for the late cancellation of the performance this evening. We know the huge effort, dedication and passion that goes into community performances and decisions to cancel are not taken lightly.

1/2

— Harrogate Theatre (@HGtheatre) February 5, 2022

It isn’t the first time the Victorian theatre, which is undergoing roof repairs, has called off a show due to a leak.

The recent pantomime season was also affected.

Work to replace the 121-year old theatre roof has been taking place since May. It was due to finish in September but this was put back to March.

Comments on the theatre’s Facebook page included:

“So gutted but also sad for the cast, safety comes first. You could tell they were devastated.”

And:

“I really feel for everyone involved as I know how much the last night is looked forward to and enjoyed by all.”

A new theatre company is to give its first performances this month with an all-female cast.

Actor Tony Kirkland set up HG1 Productions last year after he moved to the area and wanted to get involved with the local arts community.

The company aims to produce lesser-known plays about topical issues.

The first shows, called Doris Day and Fatal Light, are two short plays performed by an eight-person cast depicting the realities women face in the criminal justice system.

Doris Day, written by E V Crowe and directed by company member Fiona Hunt, follows the lives of two new female police officers as they negotiate the subtle misogyny they encounter every day.

Fatal Light, written by Chloe Moss and directed by Tony Kirkland, looks at the life of a struggling single mother who falls through the cracks of social services and the justice system.

Both plays last around 45 minutes and will be performed at St Wilfrid’s Church in Harrogate on January 21 and 22.

Ms Hunt said:

“The aim was to create something unique and I think we’ve done that. It’s really exciting for me — similar to Tony I moved to Harrogate last year and wanted to get involved in the arts community.

“I’ve found HG1 Productions to be a really good way to do that, there’s already a lot of great arts groups here but we’re hoping to do something a little different.”

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The female cast ranges in age from 12 to 50s. It is hoped the company’s debut performances will generate an eagerness for further productions.

Mr Kirkland said he is always looking for more people to get involved in future shows, both backstage and on stage. He can be contacted at kirklandanthony@hotmail.com.

To find out more about the forthcoming shows, click here.

The much-loved actor, Tim Stedman, returns for his 21st pantomime at Harrogate Theatre this year as Buttons and promises an evening of laughter and a little bit of magic.

The cast and crew are busy at Harrogate Theatre preparing to return to the stage later this month with a pantomime classic, Cinderella.

Regular panto goers will be delighted to see Tim Stedman return. He has performed at Harrogate Theatre every festive season since 2000 – only missing last year due to covid.

He said the love from the audience and the hard work of the production team keep him coming back:

“I think Harrogate [theatre] does it properly with magic, with a twinkle in its eye, and the story is king. You could come and watch it and not hear the gags or see my comedic dancing and still leave saying that’s a lovely story.

People think of Harrogate as a chocolate box of a town, wonderful and idyllic, and they’re very good at the theatre of thinking that’s how the pantomime should be.. it’s magical here.”

Mr Stedman said returning after taking a break last year has made him more eager than ever to take to the stage.

He promised plenty of comedy sketches, romance and even a whoopee cushion or two!

Some of the panto cast during rehearsals this week.

Over the years, Mr Stedman has performed in Jack and the Beanstalk and Aladdin but says with audiences falling in love with his characters brings added pressure:

“I still enjoy it as much as I did 20 years ago, but coming back each year does mean I feel the pressure a little bit.

I have to be funny and everything the audience expects and especially after being hidden away for two years really we need to make sure we do it right.”

Read more:

• Boroughbridge Hightimers return with Cinderella pantomime
• Harrogate Theatre appoints new panto director after tragic death

Mr Stedman kept tight-lipped about all the surprises and twists and turns in this year’s production but promised audiences the family-friendly, hilarious pantomime they have come to expect in Harrogate.

“It’s very funny; the ugly sisters are very funny, the prince is drop-dead gorgeous, our Cinderella looks fab. I think it’s going to be great, everyone loves Cinderella!”

Mr Stedman may say that the audience needs to love the story – but to many he is the main attraction and his talent guarantees a great panto every year.

Get ready to boo, hiss, shout and sing this November as the pantomime gets underway from November 26.

If you want to get in the mood ahead of the panto, check out our Panto Stories performed by Tim Stedman.

To find out what other events like this are on in the Harrogate district, check out our What’s On page.