2010 Festival Fringe

All Fringe events are FREE, fun and exciting. And like the best of the Fringe everywhere (unless they are specifically marked as ‘Family Events’) you take them as you find them!

There’s no need to book in advance – just turn up. You don’t even need to come to events on the main programme (although we think it would be a shame not to).

When and Where

Fringe events take place at Ilkley Playhouse, Weston Road, Ilkley LS29 8DW unless otherwise stated.

They generally last an hour.

2010 Fringe Programme

Saturday 2nd October 5.15pm

Ilkley Playhouse Wildman

It’s a Long Way

It’s a long way from running an art gallery in Ilkley to making handmade books in Scotland, but that is what Mary Thomson (formerly Sara) did. Writer, curator, critic, but principally poet, she reads recent poems, discusses why and how she makes her books and demonstrates the crystallisation of experience offered by the miniature format.

Monday 4th October 9.00pm

Ilkley Playhouse Wharfeside

The Poetry School in York & Leeds – Live

Seven poets. Seven minutes each. Exciting new voices selected from around 100 people who’ve taken part in activities run by The Poetry School in York & Leeds. You may not have read their poetry before, but you’ll want to after this… Introduced by Poetry School tutor – and ILF Poet in Residence – Antony Dunn.

Monday 4th October 9.00pm

Ilkley Playhouse Wildman

Their Spirits, My Demons

Otley based author, John Ormond, presents his warm, humorous yet  emotive book, which details life growing up in an emotionally unstable home environment, plagued by volatile tempers and alcoholism. He’ll be discussing why he decided to write the book, reading a chapter or two and answering your questions.

Tuesday 5th October 9.15pm

Ilkley Playhouse Wildman

Flying with the Moon –The search for a lost airman

‘Lancaster Bomber EE138 left its base at the appointed time. Nothing has been heard of the aircraft and crew since.’ (RAF Secret Operations Records 1943)

Jean Stevens introduces an exciting and moving tale of mystery, surprise and discovery.  She unravels the gripping story behind the death of a close relative – one which will appeal to anyone interested in the courage of ordinary people.

Wednesday 6th October 8.30pm-10pm  

The Happiness Centre, 32a Leeds Rd., Ilkley LS29 8DS

The Unlikely Poetry of Michael Conneely

A reading at the new Ilkley Happiness Centre, of Michael’s nature-based, God-realm and love visionary poetry written at Glastonbury during a field study of new spiritual forms being embraced by the modern West. Excerpts from Michael’s novels and an ‘Open Mike’ for like-minded poems. Refreshments available.

This event lasts 90 minutes. 

Thursday 7th October 9.00pm

Ilkley Playhouse Wharfeside

A Flambard Affair

Sensual, evocative poetry from Mary Robinson and Rebecca Goss, reading from their first collections, published by Flambard Press.  Mary Robinson’s The Art of Gardening is ‘an immensely varied collection – about childhood and family, people and places, nature and memory’.  Rebecca Goss’s The Anatomy of Structures is ‘fearless, fresh and utterly engaging – strong on intelligence as well as emotion’ – Tribune.

Thursday 7th October 9.00pm

Ilkley Playhouse Wildman

An Domhan Eile (The Other World) by Lucht Focail

Lucht Focail (pronounced Luct fockoll – if you dare!!) are an Irish writers group who have fashioned a sequence of poetry, storytelling, music, song and dance to explore the richness of Irish myth and folklore. No ordinary poetry reading but a joyful, compelling journey through the roots of Irish culture.

Friday 8th October 9pm-9.30pm

Ilkley Playhouse Wharfeside

Stand Up with Ash Caton

New comedy, written and performed by the brilliantly funny 18 year old Ash Caton. Wry observations on everything from being a teenager to the best way to wear a seatbelt.

For adults and young people.

Saturday 9th October 6.45pm-7.15pm

Otley Courthouse Arts Centre, Courthouse Street, Otley LS21 3AN
The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins
Imaginative prose and poetry exploring ‘the Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins’ from The Courthouse Writers who take no responsibility for any moral damage our performance may cause.  In the unlikely event you are affected by the issues raised in our programme please DON’T phone us!

Saturday 9th October 9.15pm
Ilkley Playhouse Wharfeside

The Ties that Bind
Pink Lady Productions presents The Ties that Bind.  Four short sharp theatrical monologues from the region’s best new female writing talent  addressing the emotional, familial and societal demands that shape their characters’ lives.

Adult themes are explored – not suitable for children.

Sunday 10th October 5.15pm

Ilkley Playhouse Wharfeside

The Zig Zag Path

The launch of Ian M. Emberson’s new narrative poem – set on an imaginary planet elsewhere in the universe – as an ebook. 200 pages long, each page is fully illustrated by the author. Enjoy a reading of the early scenes, followed by a screening of the whole.  Available on the author’s website – www.ianemberson.co.uk 

Sunday 10th October 5pm

St Margaret’s Church Hall, Queens Rd, Ilkley LS29 9TZ

Elsie the Sheep and the Kings of the Castle
Join Elsie the sheep and her farmyard friends in a friendly game of kings of the castle.  Val Noble takes you on a super, sheepy see, say, sign journey through her lavishly illustrated children’s book which also features British Sign Language drawings. Join in the fun learning to sign the characters.

A family event. For ages 4–94!

Monday 11th October 9.00pm

Ilkley Playhouse Wharfeside

A Muddy History of Britain

An illustrated trek through time with local author and ’Muddy Archaeologist’, Gillian Hovell. Discover how to spot history’s impact – from mankind’s first arrival to the world wars – on the landscape around us: you’ll never look at the hills and fields in the same way again…

Monday 11th October 9.00pm

Ilkley Playhouse Wildman

Voices From Beyond The Dark

‘… a powerful and moving testimony of the will of the human spirit to rise up against injustice…’ A staging by Pulitzer-prize winning author, Ariel Dorfman, of Kerry Kennedy Cuomo’s book of interviews with human rights activists from around from world, ‘from leaders like Desmond Tutu to the unknown activists working on the ground level’. Performed by actors and Amnesty members.

Tuesday 12th October 9.00pm

Ilkley Playhouse Wildman

Votes for Women!
Votes for Women! – an illustrated reading of poems about the Suffragettes, each given historical context with words and pictures. A fascinating study of the struggle for the vote, pursued by passionate women from every walk of life in the decade before the outbreak of war in 1914. These poems feature in Nina Boyd’s first collection, Dear Mr Asquith (Smith/Doorstop Books).

Thursday 14th October 9.00pm

Ilkley Playhouse Wildman

Cadaverine Magazine

Cadaverine Magazine showcases some of their best young writers reading a selection of poetry and short fiction. Guest poet is Radio 4’s Saturday Live Poet in Residence, Kate Fox. Includes Q and A session related to writing and publishing. For more about Cadaverine Magazine visit www.thecadaverine.com

Friday 15th October 3.00pm

White Wells, Ilkley Moor

‘That Place on Ilkley Moor’

Picturesque, eerie, magnificent.  An iconic building on an iconic moor. White Wells tenant and author of The History of White Wells,  Mark Hunnebell, gives a brief history of the building, from its18th century origins and the 19th century fascination with hydropathy, to the building’s  dereliction, and the renovation that saved it. Tea and coffee available

Friday 15th October 9pm

Ilkley Playhouse Wildman

The Dark Threads and Footprints In The Snow 

Jean Davison’s memoir The Dark Threads was described by Dorothy Rowe as ‘essential reading’.  One reviewer described the book as ‘destined to become a classic in the genre of psychiatric autobiography’.  Jean’s reading is supported by Angel Heart, who will read from her short story collection, and by members of Leeds Survivors Poetry group.

Friday 15th October 9.15pm

Ilkley Playhouse Wharfeside

Shakespeare’s Sonnets by Five Voices

A powerful performance of well and lesser known sonnets by Liam Fitzsimons, Mary Heycock, Síle Moriarty, Ian Parks and Ed Reiss. The five voices bring distinctive tones; the readings bring out the dramatic qualities latent in the sequence, making connections to each other and the plays.

Saturday 16th October 9.15pm

Ilkley Playhouse Wildman

The Writers’ Group Exposed!!!

Members of the Yorkshire Art Circus Writer Development Programme re-unite to share a variety of forms from poetry and prose to electronic and children’s literature.  Be a fly on the wall as some of Yorkshire’s upcoming writers read, perform and discuss their work and stay afterwards for the Q and A.