There is an old saying that you should always beware of what you wish for – you might just have it answered. Normally this is a warning that something which might seem like a good thing, can go disastrously wrong. I recently reviewed War Horse at Leeds Grand Theatre and started by saying that it would be great to watch a production without having to concentrate on the minutiae and just sit back and enjoy it.
Due to a senior moment, in what is turning into a senior lifetime, I had made an error in my diary and arrived at Wetherby Whaler, the former Harry Ramsden’s Fish and Chip Restaurant, to watch Mikron Theatre Company’s production of Hush Hush. The problem was that they were performing the other play in this year’s repertoire, Operation Beach Hut, which I saw in April at Bingley Little Theatre. As it had taken me almost three hours to get there on public transport, with the prospect of similar to get home, I decided to make my wish come true, and so I treated myself to fish, chips, mushy peas and a pot of tea and settled down for a night off.
The opulent surroundings of a typical Yorkshire chippy.
As you will have gathered from reading this, I couldn’t resist putting typing finger to keyboard and letting you know about the show. Far from regretting my wish having come true, I am delighted to say that I had a brilliant evening. Mikron Theatre Company, as regular readers will know, is a group of actors and creatives who tour the country in their narrowboat and use their portable set to perform in venues along the way, in places ranging from Lifeboat Stations to allotments. I wrote in my original review that setting up their paraphernalia in a proper theatre seemed oddly incongruous, but here it fit in with their ethos perfectly. The room’s layout also meant that there was scope for more intimate interaction with the audience – behave!
There seemed to have been some tweaks made since last time, but they have had five months to adjust it. If you want to see my original review, please go to https://tyke-it-to-the-limit.com/2025/04/17/operation-beach-hut-from-mikron-at-bingley-little-theatre/ but tonight was my night, so all I will say is that the acting, singing, comedy and musicianship was well up to its normal high standard. I was especially impressed with the various accents.
Catherine Warnock, Georgina Liley, James McLean and Rob Took.
There are still plenty of dates throughout the North of England for both this and Hush Hush so give yourself a treat and have a look at https://mikron.org.uk/ for details of the shows and the company. I will be fulfilling the correct date on 24th September, guess where, Bingley Little Theatre!
In a surreal twist; when I arrived at the Wetherby Whaler, the head waiter greeted me by my name, and led me to the table which had been reserved for me. It was obviously meant for me as it was set for one and situated at the back of the room, so as not to put anyone else off their dinner. I asked how he knew who I was and he said that he remembered me from last year!
Beam me up Scotty!
Feature image from Mikron Theatre Company. Photographs by Stan Graham
Tyke It To The Limit 