Helmsley Arts Centre – Summer 2012 programme
The Helmsley Arts Centre has put together a great array of entertainment for their summer programme including concerts, shows, theatre, and a range of events – with something to appeal to everyone.
May 2012
Ryedale Live: Open Acoustic Night
Friday 11th, 7.30pm
The Ryedale Live Team love music and provide a great opportunity for budding musicians or accomplished “old-pros” who want to share their sounds to take to the stage in the intimate setting of the Studio Bar. Just turn up on the day and grab a slot – without the hassle of pre-booking. No microphones needed. And, for the audience, it’s a great opportunity to hear what’s happening in the local Ryedale scene.
Tickets are just £2 each on the day
An Audience with Charles Dickens
Saturday 12th, 7.30pm
Even with the latest technology it’s not yet feasible to bring Charles Dickens back to life, but Helmsley Arts Centre has done what is probably the next best thing in bringing Gerald, Charles’ great-great-grandson, to the stage to perform some of the master-storyteller’s finest scenes, portraying some of his most memorable characters from works such as David Copperfield, The Pickwick Papers and other Dickens’ stories.
Tickets: £15
Vin Garbutt
Sunday 13th, 7.30pm
Vin is from Teesside and uses his roots as the basis for much of his material. He’s been described as “the funniest and the most serious man on the British Folk scene” and was so warmly received at two previous performances at the HAC that they asked him back. With over 40 years on the road, this singer/songwriter’s performances regularly receive great reviews. In 2001 he won the Best Live Act award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, and he’s also been nominated for Folk Singer of the Year.
Tickets: £12, concessions £11
Playhouse Creatures – by Blue Aces Theatre – in association with Helmsley Arts Centre
Thursday 17th and Friday 18th, 7.30pm
Blue Aces Theatre is a touring company based in Ryedale and at the HAC, and Playhouse Creatures (written by April de Angelis) tells the rather earthy story of the first actresses to grace the stage in England in the late 17th c. Up until then men had taken the female roles and these pioneer actresses were initially regarded as little better than prostitutes. Indeed, poor wages for thespians meant that some had to use enterprising ways to enhance their incomes. King Charles II’s favourite Nell Qwyn is one of those portrayed in this tragi-comic production. Please note that the play contains strong language.
Tickets: £10, concessions £9, students & under 25s £5
The Blue Aces will also be bringing this production to Thirsk School on 24th May and Ilkley Playhouse on 26th May
The Tim Kliphuis Trio – play classical music, with a difference
Saturday 19th May, 7.30pm
Tim Kliphuis: violin
Nigel Clarke: guitar
Roy Percy: double bass
The Tim Kliphius Trio play classical music in a new and exciting way – breathing new life into old favourites by Copland, Pachabel, Paganini, Vaughan-Williams and Vivaldi, intermingled with Django Reinhard’s Hot Club jazz, and folk music, played with “an astonishing fluid versatility” (Time Out) to provide a delightful and very different musical evening.
Tickets: £12.50
Eddie & The Gold Tops by the Badapple Theatre Company
Saturday 26th May, 7.30pm
Eddie and the Gold Tops is an all-new musical comedy. It tells the story of Eddie, a milkman in the 1960s, who like so many young men really, really wants to be a pop star. But he has to combine his musical ambitions with the daily grind of his milk delivery – and what’s more he can’t take a break as he made a promise on his father’s deathbed to never miss a delivery. But then his big break comes when his records start climbing the charts. When an opportunity occurs to appear on Top of the Pops, how will Eddie square it with the pledge he made to his Dad. The production is written and directed by Kate Bramley and the music is by Jez Lowe.
Tickets: £12, concessions £11, students & under 25s £6
Funny Tricks – skilful magic and humour by Ian Keable
Thursday 31st May, 7.30pm
Ian recently won the highly-prized Magic Circle Comedy for an act that combines astounding sleight-of-hand with hilarious comedy. His act us peppered with brilliant magic tricks, mind-reading and laughter-aplenty. With new tricks and old tricks Ian is the consummate entertainer. A night to remember for everyone, young or old.
Tickets: £10, concessions £9, students & under 25s £5
There are plenty of great places to stay in and around Helmsley including The Inn at Hawnby, The Feathers, No 54 B&B, Red Grouse Cottage, plus other Helmsley bed and breakfasts and Helmsley holiday cottages.