JM BARRIE is best known as the creator of Peter Pan, but it in his play Mary Rose he presents a central character who is frozen in time and almost the opposite of the boy who never grew up.

Theatre company Conn Artists brings a revival of the “spellbindingly beautiful ghost story” to Bradford Playhouse this month.

Set in a Sussex manor house, haunted by the ghost of a young woman who once lived there, the play is performed by a cast of five actors, using some of Barrie’s own stage directions in the narrative accompanied by original music and traditional folk songs.

JM Barrie was a prolific novelist and playwright of the late Victorian, early Edwardian period. Written just after the First World War and the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918-1920, Mary Rose explores love, loss and hope over 30 years. It was first staged at London’s Haymarket Theatre in 1920.

Actor and Producer Ross Muir says: “Mary Rose doesn’t realise that her life has passed and that she is frozen in time. Barrie is not exploring the adventures of children who disappear off to Neverland so much as the loss felt by those of us left behind after they are gone.”

The production is directed by Nick Young, who has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company alongside the likes of Dame Helen Mirren and Patrick Stewart. Says Nick: “JM Barrie is one of the most brilliant writers of stage directions, as he understands characters so richly. Working from this text has been a really enthralling journey. We’ve enriched the tale by embedding our own spin on the narrative, it stays true to the original text whilst exploring feelings that uplift you, as well as tackling some of the darker sides of the piece.”

* Mary Rose is at Bradford Playhouse, on Chapel Street, Little Germany, on Friday, March 25. For tickets call (01274) 800415 or visit bradfordplayhouse.org.uk

* YEADON Theatre Company is reunited on stage for the first time since before the pandemic to stage Kipps the Musical

When the cast list was announced last summer, no-one was more surprised than song-and-dance man Alex Wright, playing the title role, and stage veteran David Kirk, playing Chitterlow. They had performed together in an award-winning production of A Chorus Line in 2019 at both Guiseley and Bridlington Spa theatres, and Alex is due to appear in David’s production of Singin’ in the Rain at Ilkley Playhouse this summer. But neither knew the other had put their hat in the ring for Kipps.

Says Alex: “It was a surprise...but a nice one! Yeadon Theatre Company usually casts productions through workshops, where potential cast members meet and work together. Due to restrictions in place, this production had to be cast differently, so none of us knew who else was in the cast until it was announced.”

David adds: “I haven’t performed for Yeadon Theatre Company in a long number of years so was convinced I wouldn’t know anyone. It was a lovely surprise to see a familiar face there - a happy coincidence! But the whole company have been so welcoming. I should have realised that Alex would play Kipps, he’s ideal for the role. A great actor, singer, and dancer, he is perfect, and his energy levels are amazing. He rarely leaves the stage. My character is completely different; over the-top, with theatrical airs and graces. I have a great song in one scene that humorously pays homage to Gilbert and Sullivan.”

The musical is a revamped version of Half a Sixpence, retaining most numbers, including Flash, Bang, Wallop, with new songs added. It’s a nod to a forgotten time, with a new script by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes.

Kipps runs at Yeadon Town Hall from March 17-19. Visit yeadontheatrecompany.co.uk

* FROM Kipps to Kip...Scots-English folk duo Winter Wilson are back on the road and performing at Black Dyke Mills in Queensbury tonight. When the first lockdown was announced the duo - married couple Dave Wilson and Kip Winter - were on tour in Germany. “We cancelled all remaining gigs, rebooked the ferry and set off driving up from south Germany to Calais,” says Kip. “It felt really strange, with borders closing behind us and messages coming in from friends in similar situations who were having problems getting back to the UK.”

Once they returned, they started a live stream on Facebook which turned into a 60-week odyssey, ‘Live from the Lounge’, raising over £5,000 for charities. “We thought we’d stream live for a few weeks, then life would get back to normal,” says Kip. “After a couple of weeks people started asking how they could donate. Donations were divided between the Musicians’ Hardship Fund and our local food bank. Regulars sent requests; we did everything from Dylan and Tom Waits to Crosby, Stills & Nash and Lady Gaga.”

Winter Wilson returned to the festival circuit last summer and released new album The Passing of the Storm, showcasing traditional folk, blues and Americana. Visit blackdykemills.org/events

* BARBARA Dickson was the first act at St George’s Hall when it re-opened in 2019 after its refurbishment. On Saturday, April 2 she’s back, with her Time Is Going Faster tour. Celebrating her 50-year career, Barbara will perform her hits and other material from her extraordinary canon of music across pop and folk.

Barbara emerged from the Scottish Folk Revival of the 1960s to become the biggest selling Scottish female album artist. She had chart success in the 1970s and 1980s with hits including Answer Me, Another Suitcase in Another Hall, The Caravan Song and I Know Him So Well. As a theatre actress, her credits include Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers, as the original Mrs Johnstone, and an Olivier Award-winning performance in Spend Spend Spend, and she was in Kay Mellor’s 1990s TV drama Band of Gold, filmed in Bradford.

* ON Wednesday, March 30 Curtis Stigers, multi-platinum selling singer, saxophonist and songwriter, returns to St George’s Hall. Curtis hit the charts in the early 90s with I Wonder Why and You’re All That Matters To Me. His rendition of Nick Lowe’s (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love and Understanding was on soundtrack of hit movie The Bodyguard. Curtis has since enjoyed a career as a jazz singer, recording with stars such as Eric Clapton, Elton John, Prince and Rod Stewart. He appears at jazz festivals both sides of the Atlantic. Call (01274) 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk