LIVELY musical Sweet Charity is the next production from Ilkley Playhouse.

The show, directed by David Kirk, with musical director Cathy Sweet and choreographer Ted Oxley-Kirk, is the Neil Simon romantic comedy about an unlucky-in-love New York dancer.

Sweet Charity premiered on Broadway in 1966, charting the hope and optimism of the Sixties through to the the cynicism of the Seventies. It’s the story of Charity Hope Valentine, who is always looking for love but has a habit of falling for the wrong man. The plot pushed the boundaries for characters in musicals, particularly women.

The toe-tapping score includes such show-stoppers as Big Spender, Rhythm of Life and If my Friends Could See Me Now.

“It’s a bold, brassy and brilliantly conceived show, and tickets are selling fast,” says a Playhouse spokesman.

Sweet Charity runs at Ilkley Playhouse from June 4-16, with a matinee performance on Saturday, June 9.

Also coming up at the theatre is boogie-blues pianist Dom Pipkin, appearing tonight. His Smokin’ Boogie show, at the Wildman Studio, features “tales of bad boys, bourbon and the Big Easy”.

And Bouncers, John Godber’s much-loved comedy set in an Eighties nightclub, is presented by Bite My Thumb theatre company. Four talented actors portray several different characters on a typical Northern night out, set to an electric 1980s soundtrack. It’s on tomorrow at the Wildman.

The Bench, a fringe production, runs at the Wildman from Wednesday, May 23 to Friday, May 25.

One day, one bench, eight encounters... On a bench in a local park we meet some interesting, amusing and frankly worrying characters. All they have in common is that they take a few moments to rest and reflect in the same place.

Tickets for all shows can be booked at ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk or on (01943) 609 539.

* AN evening of woodwind and brass unfolds at Cliffe Castle, Keighley, on Sunday, May 20 when NoteAbility Concert Band presents Music at the Museum.

The programme of music is varied. Entrance is free and a collection will go to charity.