Tag: Let’s Do It!

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What’s on in Ryedale &York from 3/6/2026. Hutch’s List No. 22, from Gazette & Herald

Writer Alexander McCall Smith: Taking part in York Festival of Ideas 2026. Picture: Alexander McCall Smith Portraits

NOT only a festival, held on university soil, is full of ideas. So too is Charles Hutchinson in his list of fruitful artistic pursuits as June blooms.

Festival of the fortnight: York Festival of Ideas, Place & Space, until June 12

YORK Festival of Ideas 2026 explores Place and Space in more than 200 mostly free in-person and online events designed to educate, entertain and inspire. 

Led by the University of York, the event features world-class speakers, such as Nicola Sturgeon, Dame Kelly Holmes, Alexander McCall Smith and Stuart Rose, performances, exhibitions, tours, family-friendly activities, a Michael Morpurgo celebration day and much more, with topics ranging from archaeology to art, history to health, politics to psychology, football to Manchester’s Music Soul. For the full programme, go to: yorkfestivalofideas.com.

Holly Sumpton’s Ewen Montagu in SplitLip’s Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical, on tour at Grand Opera House, York. Picture: Matt Crockett

Musical of the week: SplitLip in Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical, Grand Opera House, York, until Saturday, 7.30pm plus 2.30pm Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday matinees

THE year is 1943 and we are losing the war but, luckily, we can gamble all our futures on a stolen corpse. Singin’ In The Rain meets Strangers On A Train in SplitLip’s Operation Mincemeat, the Olivier and Tony award-winning musical take on the unbelievable true story of the twisted secret mission that won us the Second World War.

Bursting at the seams with chaos beyond invention, the question is: how did a dead body, a fake love letter and MI5 operative Ian Fleming come together to wrong-foot Hitler? Let Christian Andrews, Holly Sumpton, Seán Carey, Charlotte Hanna-Williams and latest recruit Jamie-Rose Monk tell the tale. Box office: atgtickets.com/york.

Rosalinda at the double: Alexandra Mather, left, and Olivia Turner sharing the principal role -two performances each – in York Opera’s Die Fledermaus. Picture: David Kessel

Opera of the week: York Opera in Die Fledermaus, York Theatre Royal, Wednesday to Friday, 7.30pm; Saturday, 4pm

YORK Opera is marking two milestones with John Soper and  Elizabeth Watson’s production of Johann Strauss II’s party opera Die Fledermaus: the company’s 60th anniversary and its 40th year of performances at York Theatre Royal.

When lavish host Prince Orlofsky seeks fresh amusement at his New Year’s Eve party, what better place for disguises, deception and revenge served with chilled champagne? Alexandra Mather and Olivia Turner share the role of Rosalinda; likewise, Stephanie Wong and LaLa Marais both play Adele, alongside Molly Raine’s Orlofsky and Ian Thomson-Smith’s  Falke. Box office: 01904 623568 or yorktheatreroyal.co.uk.

The book cover artwork for Fiona Mozley’s Awake Awake

Book event of the week: An Evening with Fiona Mozley, Awake, Awake, Waterstones, Coney Street, York, June 4, 7pm

“WHAT if you can no longer trust your memories,” asks York author Fiona Mozley in her third novel, Awake Awake, published on June 4 by John Murray.

Booker-Shortlisted for her debut Elmet, and now resident in Edinburgh, Fiona returns to her home roots to discuss her new meditation on memory, loss and moral courage in a York-located story that revolves around a woman haunted by vivid memories of things she suspects never could have happened.  

Her hour-long talk will be followed by a Q&A between Fiona and the audience and a book-signing session will be held afterwards. Tickets: £6, Waterstones Plus Card members £5, at https://www.waterstones.com/events/an-evening-with-fiona-mozley-at-waterstones-york/york.

Writer-performers Molly Whitehouse and Dan Poppitt in rehearsal for Black Sheep Theatre Productions’ premiere of Love At First Bite

Premiere of the week: Black Sheep Theatre Productions in Love At First Bite, Theatre@41, Monkgate, York, June 4 to 6, 7.30pm plus 2.30pm Saturday matinee

JOSH Woodgate directs Dan Poppitt and Molly Whitehouse’s seductive new work Love At First Bite, wherein dating can be hell, but what if one of them were a creature of the night? What happens when Alan and Minnie meet at a speed-dating night? A spark flickers. Dates follow. Laughter lingers.

“Yet beneath the rhythms of a familiar rom-com, something waits in the dark,” say Poppitt and Whitehouse, who play the lovers in York company Black Sheep’s premiere. “One of them is a vampire – but the secret shifts. Each night, the actors trade fangs and the audience is left to wonder who is hunter, who is prey.” Blending sharp-fanged wit with a brush of gothic shadow, their play toys with romance, rewrites folklore and invites audiences to consider what it means to love…and to hunger! Box office: tickets.41monkgate.co.uk.

Sofia Romano in Silver Stage’s murder mystery Club Mistero at Helmsley Arts Centre. Picture: Freya Chaston

Immersive murder mystery of the week: Silver Stage & Solent University present Club Mistero, Helmsley Arts Centre, Friday, 7.30pm

LOSE yourself inside the dazzling but dangerous Club Mistero in 1920s’ New York City, where a flighty barman, outspoken diva, secretive showgirl, neglected wife and an owner with eyes on every corner all become suspects when someone is, seemingly, nowhere to be found. Clutch your pearls, ol’ sport, murder is afoot.

In the heart of a speakeasy, surrounded by deception and secrets, a web of betrayal, revenge and power is spun, whereupon tensions rise as the line between friend and foe is blurred, but who will survive the night? Silver Stage’s Evelyn Foy, George Mclean, Niamh Boyle, Sofia Romano and Borna Vitlov will keep you guessing to the very end. Box office: 01439 771700 or helmsleyarts.co.uk.

Alchemy Live! pay tribute to Dire Straits at Malton’s Milton Rooms on Friday

Tribute gig of the week: Alchemy Live!, Milton Rooms, Malton, Friday, 8pm

FORMED in 2020 by lifelong Dire Straits fans Martin Ledger and Neil Scott, Alchemy Live’s debut in York was delayed until May 13 2022 by the pandemic lockdowns. By January 2023, they were progressing to theatre shows. 

Frontman Ledger says: “It has always been the ethos to concentrate on getting the music and sound right, rather than just putting on headbands and shiny jackets. Dire Straits themselves were always about the music first and we are fully committed to upholding that. Mark Knopfler has these little percussive flourishes in his playing, which are really difficult to re-create but without them it’s just not Knopfler.”  Box office: 01653 696240 or themiltonrooms.com.

Rick Astley: Opening the summer season at Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Let the seaside season begin: Rick Astley, TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre, Friday, gates open at 6pm

IN the wake of 2025’s number two album, Are We There Yet?, last November’s paperback edition of his autobiography, Never, and April’s Reflection arena tour, Newton-le-Willows crooner Rick Astley opens the 2026 season at Scarborough Open Air Theatre.

Now 60, Astley has enjoyed two chapters of success, kicking off with Never Gonna Give You Up topping the charts in 1987, leading to BRIT award success and further hits with Together Forever and Whenever You Need Somebody. After stepping away from the limelight, he marked his half-century by returning to the top spot with his comeback album, 50, and has never looked back, playing Glastonbury and the Royal Albert Hall and performing The Smiths’ songs with Blossoms  and Frank Sinatra and swing classics at Henley Festival. Box office:  scarboroughopenairtheatre.com.

Director Courtney Brown in Pickering Musical Society’s Let’s Do It!, The Cole Porter Songbook

Musical kicks of the week: Pickering Musical Society in Let’s Do It!r, The Cole Porter Songbook, Kirk Theatre, Pickering, June 9 to 13, 7.30pm plus 2.30pm Saturday matinee

IN a sparkling showcase of wit, romance, sophisticated melodies and clever lyrics, Pickering Musical Society celebrates the joyous Cole Porter Songbook, performing beloved songs from Anything Goes, Kiss Me, Kate and High Society and such hits as You’re The Top and I Get A Kick Out Of You under the direction of Courtney Brown.

The Sarah Louise Ashworth School of Dance’s vibrant tap, jazz and contemporary routines combine stylish choreography, glamorous costumes and a tribute to the Great American Songbook. Box office: 01751 474833 or kirktheatre.co.uk.

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PREVIEW REVIEW: Graham Spink’s verdict on Pickering Musical Society, Let’s Do It!, The Cole Porter Songbook, Kirk Theatre, Pickering, June 9 to 13

Rachel Anderson in Pickering Musical Society’s Let’s Do It!, The Cole Porter Songbook

GRAHAM Spink was invited to attend Monday’s dress rehearsal of Pickering Musical Society’s upcoming concert Let’s Do It!, The Cole Porter Songbook.

HAVING been involved in amateur theatre for most of my life, I was amazed at just how polished and professional the production already looked with more than a week still to go before opening night.

The first thing that catches the eye is the magnificent full-size grand piano taking pride of place centre stage. Director Courtney Brown and Luke Arnold have certainly pushed the boat out with this production, and it is refreshing to see a different style of staging, with a compact jazz band positioned on stage alongside the performers, rather than hidden away in the orchestra pit.

I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from an evening dedicated to one of the legends of the Great American Songbook, but the programme has been cleverly structured.

The first half focuses on music from Cole Porter’s hit musicals, including Kiss Me, Kate and Anything Goes, while the second half takes on a more intimate cabaret atmosphere.

Here, the on-stage musicians and grand piano really come into their own, acting as both backdrop and accompaniment for a selection of Porter’s best-known songs, ranging from upbeat jazz numbers to moody, sensual ballads.

The production features a relatively small principal cast, wonderfully supported by the talented students of the Sarah Louise Ashworth School of Dance. Even at this stage, the standard of performance was exceptional.

Personal highlights for me included Anything Goes from the musical of the same name, Too Darn Hot from Kiss Me, Kate and the charming Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? from High Society.

To conclude, I would like to thank Luke and Courtney for inviting me to enjoy this early preview of what promises to be a thoroughly entertaining and stylish production.

I would highly recommend the show and encourage everyone to book tickets before they sell out — I have already been online this morning and booked ours!

Pickering Musical Society presents Let’s Do It!, Kirk Theatre, Pickering, June 9 to 13, 7.30pm plus 2.30pm Saturday matinee. Box office: 01751 474833 or www.kirktheatre.co.uk.

Preview review by Graham Spink

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Anything goes as Pickering Musical Society stages Cole Porter summer revue Let’s Do It! at Kirk Theatre from June 9 to 13

Let’s Do It! director and performer Courtney Brown

PICKERING Musical Society is putting the finishing touches to its summer concert, Let’s Do It!, as excitement continues to build at the Kirk Theatre, Pickering.

Running from June 9 to 13, the production promises a joyful celebration of the timeless music of Cole Porter, taking audiences on a journey through a selection of the legendary Indiana songwriter’s most beloved works.

Featuring music from Anything Goes, Kiss Me, Kate and many more, the show captures the glamour, sophistication and irresistible charm of the golden age of musical theatre.

Pickering Musical Society singer Rachel Anderson in Let’s Do It!

Audiences can look forward to an evening packed with memorable songs, including the show-stopping Blow, Gabriel, Blow, the playful Let’s Misbehave and ever-popular You’re The Top, alongside many other favourites that continue to delight audiences decades after they were first performed.

At the helm is director Courtney Brown, following her successful directorial debut with My Favourite Things last year. Building on that success, she has assembled a production full of energy, movement and fun, with rehearsals now in full swing as cast and creative team members work to bring the music and staging together ahead of opening night.

The set promises to be spectacular, with the cast joined on stage by a grand piano and five talented musicians, creating the rich sound and atmosphere of the golden age of jazz to transport audiences back to an era of elegance, style and unforgettable music.

The Ladies Ensemble in Pickering Musical Society’s Let’s Do It!

The addition of live music on stage will bring an extra dimension to the production, creating an immersive theatrical experience in bringing Porter’s timeless songs thrillingly to life.

Adding even more spectacle to the production, Pickering Musical Society again will be joined on stage by performers from the Sarah Louise Ashworth School of Dance. Their colourful choreography and dynamic routines will instil extra sparkle and visual excitement.

Pickering Musical Society presents Let’s Do It!, Kirk Theatre, Pickering, June 9 to 13, 7.30pm plus 2.30pm Saturday matinee. Box office: 01751 474833 or www.kirktheatre.co.uk.