WHAT a treat is in store at Ilkley Playhouse! The musical version of A Private Function, which was shot in Ilkley over thirty years ago with Maggie Smith and Michael Palin, retains all the charm and wit of the film with the added joy of some wonderful song and dance numbers.

Betty Blue Eyes, set in 1947 in the run up to the Princess Elizabeth’s wedding, is a tale of post war austerity leading to greed and dealings in the black market. Centred round newcomers to the community, Gilbert and Joyce Chivers, a chiropodist and his society- climbing wife, there is a certain pathos attached to their desire to be welcomed and accepted. Ned Sproston as Gilbert sings of his desire to have a ‘Place on the Parade’ with a tenderness which is echoed by his lonely housewife customers. ‘He has Magic Fingers’ is a delightful trio, sung by Jackie Campbell, Rebecca Clark and Susan Wilcock, which hints at the sadness of women post-war, who have lost their men folk and seek solace in any human touch. Meanwhile Joyce, played enthrallingly by Joanna Clark, with wonderful characterisation, at once strident and forthright like a true Yorkshire woman and then reveals a woman who is disappointed by the way her life has failed to live up to her expectations – in a fantastic dream sequence she sings of being a ‘Nobody’.

The acquisition of meat whilst rationing is still ‘on’ is the priority for all house wives. Those who have it are ‘in’ and those who can’t get it are distinctly ‘out’. Betty Blue Eyes, the term of endearment by which the ‘meat’ is known, is a central character - a large and delightful pig which roams the stage, fluttering its eyelids and flicking its ears in an attempt to distract those rearing it from fulfilling its culinary obligation.

Along their way to social acceptance, Joyce and Gilbert try all things to get amongst the great and good of the town, whilst being hampered by Joyce’s eighty four year old mother – a super part for Jean Garbutt who is clearly relishing playing a not-so-batty old lady!

The town council echoes JB Priestly in its pomposity whilst they long in song for a ‘Fine Hog-roast’, richly sung by Paul Chewins, Andrew Walton, Alan Young and Jonathan Tate.

Directed by David Kirk, this is also a great ensemble piece with a positive feast of singing and dancing from all of this fine company. It is funny and uplifting and will be sure to raise spirits of its audiences and runs at the Playhouse until July 16.

by Becky Carter