It was great to cover an event within walking distance of home, especially on a summer evening. It did seem a bit incongruous, slapping on the factor 50 to go see a presentation which would obviously culminate in the details of this year’s pantomime, still, I thought to myself, enjoy it while you can – so I did.
The enjoyment began as soon as I walked through the front door when I was handed a cocktail and invited to try a small cupcake from Mamma Doreen’s Emporium, just round the corner in Station Parade. It was so good I had to nick one of the few remaining on my way home, well, I did walk! The cocktail is called 1900 and more about that later.
Once refreshed, and having done a bit of schmoozing, I took my seat in the auditorium to get the low down on the attractions to come. I had already done my homework, so thought I had it covered, but there were a couple of surprises in store due to last minute additions.
Hannah Draper, Director of Creative Engagement, did the honours by introducing the group of guests on stage: Marcus Romer, Programmer – not the computer sort, but the booking type; Ash Miller, Customer Experience Manager; Lee Bainbridge of King Brilliant Theatre Company; and Ellen Carnazza, writer and actor.
First on the oche was Marcus, who worked his way through the coming events giving background information on them. This is beginning to sound like the minutes of a particularly boring management meeting (is there any other kind) but was handled in a most amusing way.
The first piece of news was that, rather than being just three plays in this year’s Harrogate Theatre Drama Series, there will be four. The first one, Brighton ’84 by Philip Stokes, starring Lee Bainbridge and Jack Stokes, is set in the Grand Hotel, Brighton on 12th October, 1984, the night that the IRA planted a bomb with the intention of assassinating Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. As Lee Bainbridge was sharing the stage this evening, Mr Romer passed the mic to him.
Lee said that, although the action takes place on that fateful evening, the play is about two men who occupy a room in the hotel which is not physically affected by the blast, but uses it as a backdrop. He said it is funny, although the humour is dark, and intense, so covers the gamut of emotions.
Mr Bainbridge heralds from Castleford and was wandering fairly aimlessly through life when he saw two plays which changed everything. His background made him feel as though he couldn’t make it as an actor so he joined the military. When he left he decided that he had to give the medium a go and, after doing work for theatre companies, he formed his own which led him to perform in Australia and New York.
He said that he was grateful to Marcus Romer and Harrogate Theatre, not only for booking Brighton ’84, but also giving his company a slot in the 2027 Drama Series, something which injects a much needed element of certainty in the future for them.
Brighton ’84 runs from 3rd to 5th September, 2026.
Marcus then ran through the other plays in the series; Dial M For Murder, by Frederick Knott, 8th to 12th September; The Highwayman, by John Godber, 16th to 19th September and Micheal Morpurgo’s Private Peaceful, 24th to 26th September. There is a 10% discount if you book two or more plays at once.
He went on to remind us that Harrogate Theatre is the umbrella company for the premises in which we were spending this evening as well as the Royal Hall and the Convention Centre. All are mainly booked with one nighters, but the variety makes sure that there is something for everyone.
There are plenty of celebrity presentations, beginning at The Conference Centre where, on 18th September, there is An Evening With Racing Icons David Coulthard & Mika Häkkinen. I don’t think they will be driving F1 cars round the place but there should be some stimulating conversation. Other ‘evenings with’ include Michael Portillo – unless his train is cancelled – on 4th November, John Simpson, 10th October, and John Lydon aka Johnny Rotten, 27th October. What did Marcus say about variety?
There are plenty of tribute acts, including In The Air Tonight, featuring the music of – you guessed it – Phil Collins and Genesis, at Royal Hall on 24th September, and What’s Love Got To Do With It? – Tina Turner – at the same venue on 27th September.
In addition to tribute acts there are original artists such as Gilbert O’Sullivan: Celebrating 60 Years of Music at Harrogate Theatre on 30th October and Bellowhead: Burlesque 20th Anniversary Tour at Harrogate Convention Centre on 13th November.
One show which seemed to get the ladies’ hearts fluttering was The Phantoms, which is at Royal Hall on 26th September and features former stars from the West End productions of Phantom Of The Opera, including Lee Mead, who I think was the catalyst for the knee weakening.
It was then back to Harrogate Theatre for details of the annual Harrogate Comedy Festival. This year there are lots of well known comedians; Paul Merton and Yuki Webster’s Improv Show, Jason Byrne, a Harrogate favourite; Maisie Adam, who is from the town and has sold out already, as has Miriam Margolyes, although Ms Adams can be seen presenting some of her friends in the charity event, Frank’s Fund Comedy Gala on 1st November. A late addition was announced in Ricard Ayoade who will be at Harrogate Conference Centre on 20th November, a date only confirmed today. Even hotter off the press is the, not yet advertised, recording of Radio 4’s I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue on 6th December. Very appropriate as the theatre is only about 500yds from Mornington Crescent!
There are obviously lots of other dates not covered, but the biggie is the Pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, where, once again, Tim Steadman stars, this time as Silly Sidney, along with Elouise Warboys as Princess Aurora, Colin Kiyani as Tom Nidderdale and the next member of the stage panel, and Harrogate born and raised, Ellen Carnazza as Wicked Fairy, Carabosse. She said that it is great to be playing a baddie. Don’t be misled by the happy, smiley photograph, if you read my review of her one-woman show, Crums, you will realise that she is well suited to this type of role as she scared the life out of me when in the guise of one of her many characters in that production, the enforcer, Big Tony.
Sleeping Beauty runs from 25th November, 2026 to 17th January, 2027. Happy New Year!
I return to the subject of drink – not for the first time – and the 1900 cocktail. The name comes from the year in which the theatre, at that time known as The Grand Opera House, opened. In these days of financial struggles, especially in the live entertainment and hospitality sectors, organisations such as Harrogate Theatre have to think outside the box. Actually they have also thought outside the bottle as well.
Ash Miller, Customer Experience Manager, has been in talks with Harrogate Gin – well, someone has to do it – and they have come up with a special blend of botanicals which is being marketed as Harrogate Theatre Gin. As well as being sold as is, it is also the base for the theatre bars’ 1900 cocktail, which, along with other ingredients is also is topped up with Prosecco. I can heartily recommend it. Not only that, but she has collaborated with the town’s Crown Hotel, who are using it as the main ingredient for their new cocktail, Stage Door, with all proceeds going to the theatre. At £8.95 it is a bargain.
So, there you have it, all you need to know about the Autumn Season at Harrogate Theatre. Actually, there is a lot more you need to know, so please go to https://harrogatetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/
Photographs by Stan Graham. Other images from Harrogate Theatre.
Tyke It To The Limit 