Saturday was the last night of The Pillowman, Martin McDonagh’s dark, thought-provoking play about storytelling, life and art, reality and fantasy which was presented in the Wildman Studio last week. Although a challenging play, those who came to see it were very positive and enthusiastic in their response.

This weekend in the Wildman studio, a visiting theatre company, Encore Theatre, will present Jo’s War, a drama about the impact of war on the home front, told from the perspective of the families left behind. The production runs for two nights, on Friday 17^th and Saturday 18^th February. To book tickets contact the Playhouse box office.

The next production in the Wharfeside Theatre is Absent Friends by Alan Ayckbourn, which opens on Wednesday February 29^th and runs to Saturday March 10^th. A classic Ayckbourn comedy of manners with plenty of humour and a lot of social awkwardness, this is guaranteed to be as thought-provoking as it is laughter-inducing. A group of friends await the arrival of Colin whose fiancée has recently died in an accident. A tea party to welcome him home seems like a lovely idea but the event rapidly becomes a hotbed of inter-relationship tension as the guests begin to turn on each other. Colin’s friends are almost at breaking point by the time the guest of honour arrives and the pressure is on to maintain their composure. A wonderful satire on social mores, the play is co-directed by Ian Wilson and Kay Vann. The Playhouse is delighted to announce that there will be a signed performance on Thursday 1st March at 7.30pm: please contact the box office if you would like to attend this performance.

Throughout the run of Absent Friends, the work of local photographer Mark Hockey will be on display in the Playhouse. All the prints on show are for sale so if you are coming to see the play, allow some extra time to browse the exhibition.

Jo’s War (17th and 18^th February) and Absent Friends (February 29th-March 10th), contact the Playhouse box office on 01943 609539. www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk