More Things To Do in York and beyond, whether Unfortunate or fortunate to be here. Hutch’s List No. 24, from The Press

Swing when you’re singing: Ryedale Primary Choir schoochildren doing their vocal exercises for Across The Whinny Moor

MUSICAL moorland mermaids and a villainous sea witch, motion in art and a Mozart mass, vintage Pink Floyd and a Louise Brooks silent movie set up Charles Hutchinson’s week ahead.

Ryedale Festival community event of the week: Across The Whinny Moor, St Peter’s Church, Norton, today, 4pm

THE world premiere of the Community Song Cycle: Across The Whinny Moor follows the trail of North Yorkshire’s Lyke Wake Walk, meeting cheeky hobs, angry mermaids, resourceful giants and wise witches along the way. 

The all-age cast for a walk through stories and songs by John Barber and Hazel Gould includes the schoolchildren of the Ryedale Primary Choir, the Ryedale Voices, Harmonia and The RyeLarks choirs, Kirkbymoorside Town Junior Brass Band, storyteller Rosie Barrett and mezzo-soprano soloist Victoria Simmonds, conducted by Caius Lee. Box office: ryedalefestival.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173652657. 

Tim Pearce’s poster artwork for Life Forms In Motion at Blossom Street Gallery

Six of the best: Life Forms In Motion, Blossom Street Gallery, Blossom Street, York, until June 30

SIX Yorkshire artists give individual responses to the challenge of interpreting the motion of life forms in a range of static media. In a nutshell, time and space condensed into single, dynamic images.

Taking part are Tim Pearce, painting and sculpture; Cathy Denford, painting; Jo Ruth, printmaking; Adrienne French, painting; Mandy Long, ceramic sculpture, and Lesley Peatfield, photography. Opening hours: Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm; Sundays, 10am to 3pm.

Robert Hollingworth: On baton duty at the University of York Choir and Symphony Orchestra’s concert at York Minster tonight

Classical concert of the week: University of York Choir and Symphony Orchestra, York Minster, tonight, 7.30pm

UNDER the direction of Robert Hollingworth and John Stringer, the University of York Choir and Symphony Orchestra perform Mozart’s ‘Great’ Mass in C minor, widely considered to be among his supreme choral works.

This will be complemented by a selection of works by Anton Bruckner, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Austrian composer’s birth, including the Te Deum, “the pride of his life”. Box office: 01904 322439 or yorkconcerts.co.uk.

Across The Fields To The Sea, by John Thornton, from his Kentmere House Gallery exhibition

“Favourite artist” of the week: John Thornton, Across The Fields To The Sea, Kentmere House, Gallery, Scarcroft Hill, York

BORN in York and now living in Selby, seascape and landscape artist John Thornton has opened his latest show, Across The Fields To The Sea, at his regular York gallery.

“John is everyone’s favourite painter,” says gallery owner and curator Ann Petherick. “I’m delighted he has produced a new and exciting collection of paintings of Askham Bog and Skipwith Common woodlands and meadows and the occasional seascape, inspired by his travels in Yorkshire since the end of Covid.” Opening hours: First weekend of each month, 11am to 5pm; every Thursday, 6pm to 9pm; any other time by appointment on 01904 656507 or 07801 810825.

Louise Brooks in Diary Of A Lost Girl, showing at the NCEM on Tuesday

Film event of the week: Diary Of A Lost Girl (PG), with pianist Utsav Lal, National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate, York, June 11, 7.30pm

TRAILBLAZING New York raga pianist Utsav Lal improvises his live score to accompany Diary Of A Lost Girl, a rarely shown gem of German silent cinema starring American icon Louise Brooks.

Presented by Northern Silents, G W Pabst’s 1929 film traces the journey of a young woman from the pit of despair to the moment of personal awakening. Box office: 01904 658338 and at ncem.co.uk.

Sex, sorcery and suckers: Shawna Hamic’s filthy-humoured Ursula in Unfortunate: The Untold Story Of Ursula The Sea Witch. Picture: Pamela Raith

Musical discovery of the week: Unfortunate: The Untold Story Of Ursula The Sea Witch, Grand Opera House, York, June 11 to 15, 7.30pm plus 2.30pm Saturday matinee

AFTER a hit London season, Yorkshire writer-director Robyn Grant heads north with her raucously rude, wickedly camp parody musical Unfortunate, wherein Disney diva Ursula, the villainous sea witch, rules the waves and waves the rules.

New York actress Shawna Hamic’s Ursula gives her filthy-humoured take on what really happened all those years ago under the sea in a bawdy tale of sex, sorcery and suckers. Age recommendation: 16+, on account of strong language, partial nudity and scenes of a sexual nature. Box office: atgtickets.com/york.

Courtney Broan as Ado Annie in Pickering Musical Society’s Oklahoma!

American classic of the week: Pickering Musical Society in Oklahoma!, Kirk Theatre, Pickering, June 11 to 15, 7.30pm and 2.30pm Saturday matinee

LUKE Arnold directs Pickering Musical Society in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 1943 love story of Curly (Marcus Burnside) and Laurie (Rachel Anderson), set in the sweeping landscapes of the American heartland. 

Further roles go to Courtney Broan as Ado Annie, Stephen Temple as Will Parker, Michael O’Brien as Mr Carnes and Rick Switzer-Green as AliHakim, joined by dancers from the Sarah Louise Ashworth School of Dance. Box office: 01751 474833 or kirktheatre.co.uk.

Nick Mason’s Saucerful Of Secrets: Re-visiting Pink Floyd at York Barbican

Rock gig of the week: Nick Mason’s Saucerful Of Secrets, York Barbican, June 12, 7.45pm

NICK Mason’s Saucerful Of Secrets follow up their April 2022 appearance at York Barbican with Wednesday’s date on their Set The Controls Tour.

Once more, Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason will be joined by Spandau Ballet guitarist Gary Kemp, bassist Guy Pratt, guitarist Lee Harris and keyboardist Dom Beken to perform vintage Pink Floyd material. Box office: yorkbarbican.co.uk.   

The poster artwork for Calamity Jane, starring Carrie Hope Fletcher, on tour at Grand Opera House next spring

Show announcement of the week: Carrie Hope Fletcher in Calamity Jane, Grand Opera House, York, April 29 to May 3 2025

IN the week when Nikolai Foster’s production of An Officer And A Gentleman The Musical is on tour at the Grand Opera House, the York theatre announces the booking of another show with the North Yorkshire director at the helm, this one bound for the West End.

Three-time WhatsOnStage Best Actress in a Musical winner Carrie Hope Fletcher will star in the whip-crackin’ musical as fearless Dakota gun-slinger Calamity Jane. “She is one of those roles that doesn’t come around all too often,” she says. “She’s action, romance and comedy all packed into one character, and I can’t wait to take on the challenge of filling her shoes.” Box office: atgtickets.com/york.

Extra! Extra! Pickering Musical Society adds two more Aladdin shows at Kirk Theatre

John Brooks’s Abanazar, left, Stephen Temple’s Wishee Washee, Marcus Burnside’s Widow Twankey and Danielle Long’s Aladdin in Pickering Musical Society’s Aladdin

PICKERING Musical Society has added extra performances to this month’s pantomime run of Aladdin at Kirk Theatre, Pickering.

This winter’s spectacular show, charting Aladdin’s rise from humble beginnings to riches beyond his wildest dreams, now opens with a 7.15pm performance on January 18, while a Sunday matinee on January 21 is a new addition too.

“With the success of ticket sales this year, it looks like an additional night will have to be added next year too,” says director Luke Arnold.

Setting out on his quest with a magical lamp, a trusty genie and wishes aplenty, only Aladdin can take on his evil uncle Abanazar. Can he conquer the magical cave and who will win the heart of the princess in the most spellbinding battle of good versus evil?

Jack Dobson, Danielle Long, centre, and Millie Fisher in a scene from Pickering Musical Society’s Aladdin

The 2024 cast features Pickering panto favourites such as Marcus Burnside as the dame, Widow Twankey, and Stephen Temple as simple son Wishee Washee.

Panto regulars Danielle Long and Courtney Brown reunite as the principal boy and girl, Aladdin and Princess Lotus Blossom, while Paula Paylor and Rachel Anderson play comedic double act Minnie Wong and Winnie Wong. John Brooks, a relative newbie to the society, reprises the villain’s role, this year playing Abanazar. 

The principals will be supported by a large chorus of society members, along with students from the Sarah Louise Ashworth School of Dance, accompanied as always by a live band, directed by resident musical director Clive Wass. 

All in for Aladdin: The full cast for Pickering Musical Society’s 2024 pantomime

“Last year’s pantomime broke all box-office records and was a real high watermark for us,” says Luke. “This year we took the decision to add an extra performance to our production run and amazingly, with the support we have received already, we are once again on track to beat last year’s record!

“Working with a combined cast and production team of over 100 people, it really has been a joy to direct, and audiences can be assured of a fantastic, fun-filled production.”

Pickering Musical Society in Aladdin, Kirk Theatre, Pickering, January 18 to 28. Performances: 7.15pm, except January 22; 2.15pm, January 20 (four tickets left), 21 (sold out), 27 (six tickets) and 28 (nine tickets). Box office: 01751 474833 or thelittleboxoffice.com/kirktheatre.

Pickering Musical Society pantomime’s principal boy and girl: Danielle Long’s Aladdin and Courtney Brown’s Princess Lotus Blossom

Pickering Musical Society to stage Aladdin panto at Kirk Theatre from January 18 to 28

Stephen Temple, who will play Wishee Washee, in rehearsal for Aladdin with Imogen Smith and Poppy Coulson-Arnold. All pictures: Robert David

PICKERING Musical Society cast members are deep into rehearsals for next month’s pantomime run of Aladdin at the Kirk Theatre, Pickering.

Once more the production will be directed by resident director Luke Arnold, who has teamed up again with musical director Clive Wass and welcomes a new choreographer, Leah Nichols, to his production team.

Leah is no stranger to the Kirk Theatre, having performed with the Sarah Louise Ashworth School of Dance in many of the society’s pantomimes.

“It’s been an exciting few weeks, welcoming Leah to our team,” says Luke. “We’re all really enjoying working with her and the energy she has brought to the production.”  

Comic duo Rachel Anderson, left, and Paula Paylor: Playing sisters Minnie and Winnie Wong in Aladdin

As in previous years, the society has chosen a script by Ron Hall, who was a life member of the society and who wrote many scripts over the years. This one follows the usual tale of Aladdin, transporting audiences to Old Peking, where the story unfolds.

One of the most popular pantomimes of all, the thrilling story of a boy, a lamp and a genie has kept panto-goers spell-bound for generations. Families visiting the Kirk Theatre next month can look forward to a fun-packed show full of comedy, singing, dancing, slapstick, dazzling special effects, beautiful costumes and audience participation aplenty.

The cast will feature society regulars Danielle Long as Aladdin, Courtney Brown as Princess Lotus Blossom and Millie Fisher as Slave of the Ring. Linda Tester will return to the stage as the strong-willed ruler, the Empress of China; Will Smithson will play her bodyguard, One Long Pong; comic duo Paula Paylor and Rachel Anderson will appear as sisters Minnie and Winnie Wong and Jack Dobson will be the Genie.

Pickering Musical Society cast and crew in rehearsal for Aladdin

“We’ve got everything that you could wish for in our spectacular production of Aladdin,” says Luke. “A fantastic script by the fabulous Ron Hall; the most boo-able of baddies in the form of John Brooks, and dame extraordinaire Marcus Burnside returning to the Kirk Theatre stage.

“Oh and of course, the one and only Stephen Temple himself as Wishee Washee. With lavish sets and costumes, sensational song-and-dance numbers and lamp loads of laughs, your wish is our command!”

Pickering Musical Society in Aladdin, Kirk Theatre, Pickering, January 18 to 28, 7.15pm nightly except January 22; 2.15pm, January 20, 21, 27 and 28. Box office: 01751 474833 or via kirktheatre.co.uk. 

Danielle Long, left, and Courtney Brown rehearsing their roles as Aladdin and Princess Lotus Blossom