Welcome
to our Spring/Summer programme 2025 at Otley Courthouse!
Laura Barker-Bey
Abi James
Chris Jones
Saskia Goodwill
Louise Lydamore
Josephine Leung
Bella Wood
We once again have a jam-packed programme of sure to sell-out shows covering a wonderfully diverse range of arts. Come and enjoy your urite music, theatre, cinema, comedy and talks ongst other things.
The launch of our Season Tickets for Movie Matinees and Lunchtime Recitals last season was very successful, so we are keeping these going, offering a 15% discount if you book for the whole season!
Have you taken part in any of our creative workshops yet? These run bi-monthly and will be in February, April and June this programme They are run by local creatives who are passing on their passion for particular skills Please see page 11 for more information.
All working alongside our amazing team of cleaners, technicians and bar staff.
Kiki Dee
Tony Wright
Paul Hudson
Lizzie Deignan MBE
OtleyCourthouseisaregisteredcharity.The runningcostsofourbuilding,production,staffing andmaintenancearemetalmostentirelyfrom earnedincomeandyourgenerousdonations!
We would like to thank you all for your support during our birthday year 2024 and particularly for supporting our birthday crowdfunding campaign in such large numbers! You will be pleased to know that the new chairs are on their way!
As usual, we would like to thank our volunteers, house managers and board members for their time and dedication! Without you the Courthouse would simply not be the Courthouse.
Staff Top Picks Of The Season:
Geoff Selley: Shackleton - The Greatest Survival Story Ever Told, 14th March
Matt Rendell’s Inside Stories Of The Tour De France, 19th March
The Steelers: The Music of Steely Dan, 26th April Budapest Café Orchestra, 20th June
Where we are & how to get here:
Your Visit
Otley Courthouse, Courthouse Street, Otley, LS21 3AN
There are Leeds City Council Pay & Display Car parks next to us and behind us Regular buses run through the day to all surrounding villages, towns & cities.
Contact Us:
Phone: 01943 467466
Email: admin@otleycourthouse org uk
Café & Bar:
Our café is open Monday – Saturday, please see our website for more details.
For events, our bar & café will open 45 minutes before start time
Terms & conditions apply Full details at otleycourthouse org uk
The information in this brochure is published in good faith, but changes may occasionally be necessary.
Booking Information
In person booking and over the phone: The box office is open Monday - Friday: 10am - 2.30pm & Saturday 10am - 2pm.
Online: otleycourthouse org uk
Accessibility
The Courthouse is wheelchair accessible, with level entry, a lift to the first floor and disabled toilets.
Guide and assistance dogs are welcome.
An induction loop is available in the Courtroom.
Where possible, our screenings are captioned.
If you have any specific access requirements or need a companion to accompany you to events, please call our box office to book your tickets. One free companion ticket will be made available.
Concessions
Where a concessionary price is listed, these tickets are available for: under 16s or those in full time education, anyone in receipt of state benefits, senior citizens (60+ and not in paid employment).
If a family price is listed this is for 2 adults and 2 children only.
Season Tickets
Season Tickets are now available for our series of Movie Matinees and Lunchtime Recitals. Please see page 9 for more details.
Refunds
Tickets are non-refundable, except in the case of a cancelled performance. For sold out performances it may be possible to resell your tickets. Please contact the box office and do not use third-party resale sites.
Fees & charges
All fees & charges are included in the advertised ticket price. No additional charges will apply.
Movie Matinees
Our £6 Thursday film screenings: Movie Matinees always start at 2pm and include free tea/coffee as well as a sweet treat from 1.30pm onwards! All films are screened with subtitles when available.
Stars:IanMcKellen,Alfred Enoch,MatthewCottle
Stars:DaisyEdgar-Jones, GlenPowel
Thursday12thJune
Stars:MatthewCollyer, RhiannonNeads
Stars:JuneSquibb,Fred Hechinger
Stars:NicholasHoult,Toni Collette
Stars:AliciaVikander, JudeLaw,RubyBentall
Stars:DaveTurner,Ebla Mari,ClaireRodgerson
Stars:TomHanks,Austin Butler,OliviaDeJonge
Thursday14thAugust
Stars:CynthiaErivo, ArianaGrande Films over 2.5 hrs will have an interval
MOVIEMATINEESEASONTICKETS
Come and enjoy all 9 Movie Matinees for 15% off. Information on page 9
Otley Film Society
Otley Film Society is a not-for-profit organisation committed to bringing diverse cinema to Otley. Screenings are on Thursdays at 7.45pm and are £5. Cash only for non-members.
Fremont
Thursday6thMarch,7.45pm
Stars:AnaitaWaliZada,JeremyAllenWhite
Thisblack-and-whitedramafollowsalonelyAfghan translatorinCaliforniaseekingmorefromlife
LaChimera
Thursday20thMarch,7.45pm
Stars:JoshO’Connor,CarolDuarte
Justoutofjail,EnglisharchaeologistArthurreuniteswith hiscrewofgrave-robbers,lootingEtruscantombsand fencingtheancienttreasurestheydigup
Monster
Thursday10thApril,7.45pm
Stars:SakuraAndô,EitaNagayama
WhenMinatobeginstoactstrangely,hismother confrontshisteacher,uncoveringthetruththrough theirperspectives
R.M.N
Thursday24thApril,7.45pm
Stars:MarinGrigore,JudithState
Anunbiasedlookathumanbehaviour,perceptionsof others,andourresponsetoanunsettlingfuture.
RobotDreams
Thursday8thMay,7.45pm
Star:IvanLabanda
TheadventuresandmisfortunesofDogandRobotin NewYorkCityduringthe1980s
MysteryFilm
Thursday22ndMay,7.45pm
ItisnowatraditionofOFStoleavethelastscreening dateoftheseasonfreeuntilaftertheInternationalfilm awardsseasonsothatwecanscreenoneofthe winners.
For more information, please visit: otleyfilmsociety.org.uk
music music
MIKEMcGOLDRICK, JOHNMcCUSKER& JOHNDOYLE
Saturday1stMarch
8pm SOLDOUT
Mike McGoldrick, John McCusker, and John Doyle, legendary folk music figures reunite for their new tour, offering their unique blend of top-class folk songs, tunes, and charming camaraderie
John Doyle (Dublin) cofounded Solas and has collaborated with Joan Baez and Linda Thompson
John McCusker (Glasgow), known for his work with The Battlefield Band and Bob Dylan, also produces for artists like Eddi Reader and Kris Drever.
Mike McGoldrick (Manchester), a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winner, brings his mastery of flute, fiddles, and more to create a memorable evening of finely crafted music.
music
LUNCHTIME
Thursday6thMarch& Thursday20thMarch 1pm £10
Thursday 6th March’s recital will be: Tom Davenport (Trombone), Elizabeth Cunningham (Voice) and Freya Martinez (Piano)
Thursday 20th March’s recital will be: Antonia Deeley (Flute), Lucy Kilner (Flute) and Antonia and Lucy performing as a duo
Tea/coffee & biscuit included in ticket price.
Season Ticket available.
MIRANDASYKES &JIMCAUSLEY
Sunday9thMarch
8pm £18
Two of the UK’s most celebrated voices unite as a duo to tour their new album, The Last Of The Singers, in 2025.
Six-time BBC Folk Award nominee Jim Causley, and Miranda Sykes of Show of Hands and Daphne’s Flight, have been friends for nearly 20 years They first collaborated in 2024, and the overwhelming audience response and their shared musical chemistry inspired them to record an album together
The Last Of The Singers features a stunning blend of traditional, original, and contemporary songs, showcasing their exceptional harmonies and artistry.
On Jim Causley: "The finest singer of his generation" - MOJO
On Miranda Sykes: "Gorgeous and very compelling stuff" - Rock N Reel
science comedy
GEOFFSELLEY: SHACKLETONTHEGREATEST SURVIVALSTORY EVERTOLD
Friday14thMarch
7.30pm
£9Standard
£8CourthouseFriends
The lecture will be given by Geoff Selley (FRGS), the current custodian of a talk handed down in direct succession from Dr. Hussey, one of the original expedition members. It tells the full story of the ill-fated expedition, the crew’s survival after losing their ship, and Shackleton’s epic boat voyage through stormy seas to South Georgia to bring help.
The talk is accompanied by slides reproduced from Frank Hurley’s original magic-lantern images of the expedition. Passed down through generations, the lecture has remained true to Dr. Hussey’s notes, presented as if by him. With the eerie glow of the Antarctic landscape, the audience is transported back to the heroic age of exploration.
“For scientific discovery, give me Scott but in a hopeless situation pray for Shackleton.” - Sir Raymond Priestly
SIMONEVANS: HAVEWEMET?
Saturday15thMarch
8pm SOLDOUT
Simon Evans returns with Have We Met?, the final installment in his acclaimed trilogy following Genius 2.0 and The Work of the Devil.
Standing at a crossroads, Simon contemplates life’s great questions: Should he strive, seek, and find like Ulysses? Or simply brew some tea, grab the Hobnobs, and yield?
Blending comedy, pathos, and reflections on his own tangled past, Simon draws on influences from Joyce and Proust to Philip Schofield, crafting an unforgettable two hours of razor-sharp wit and poignant insight.
This is stand-up at its most intelligent, thoughtprovoking and entertaining.
“A Masterclass” - The Scotsman
screening
EXHIBITIONON SCREEN:VAN GOGH:POETS ANDLOVERS
Sunday16thMarch
7pm
£9Standard
£8CourthouseFriends
To mark its 200th anniversary and a century since acquiring its first Van Gogh works, the National Gallery presents the UK’s largest-ever Van Gogh exhibition.
This film offers a fresh look at the misunderstood artist, focusing on his transformative years in the south of France.
"Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers" delves into his creative process and explores how his passion for storytelling led to his reimagining of the world around him, turning everyday scenes into vibrant, symbolic masterpieces.
Through Van Gogh’s personal letters, this 90minute film, directed by David Bickerstaff, uncovers one of the most dramatic and influential periods in art history.
talk music
MATTRENDELL’S INSIDESTORIES OFTHETOURDE FRANCE
Wednesday19thMarch
7.30pm
£16
ITV Tour de France commentator Matt Rendell shares stories from his 25 years' covering of the Tourand his dealings with cycling's big names from Eddy Merckx to Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish to Chris Froome.
In a revealing and entertaining night for cycling fans new and old, Matt brings a mix of first-hand experiences of the biggest races on the calendar, bizarre/hilarious personal tales and thought-provoking ideas about the future (and history) of the sport.
Matt Rendell will be in conversation with former Procycling magazine writer Duncan Steer, who also hosted our recent shows with Carlton Kirby and Emily Chappell. There will be a chance to ask your own questions.
RACHEL NEWTON& LAUREN MacCOLL(HEAL &HARROW)
Friday21stMarch
8pm
£17
Rachel Newton (The Furrow Collective) and Lauren MacColl (Rant), two of Scotland’s most celebrated folk musicians, bring their captivating duo show to the stage.
This performance features acoustic interpretations of music from their awardwinning Heal & Harrow project, alongside selections from their acclaimed solo albums such as Haar, Landskein (Lauren), Sealladh, and To the Awe (Rachel).
Heal & Harrow, inspired by the Scottish Witch Trials, remembers the estimated 2,500 people executed during the 16th and 17thcentury Scottish Witch Trials, with 80% thought to be women
This powerful performance combines history, storytelling, and exquisite musicianship
THECOMPLETE WORKSOFJANE AUSTEN (ABRIDGED) theatre
Saturday22ndMarch
7.30pm
£16
One newbie and two selfprofessed Janeites, through almost all means imaginable, tackle the entire canon of Jane Austen.
Come along for a fun, funny, and fast-paced romp through the masterpieces of Jane Austen with The Complete Works of Jane Austen (Abridged).
Three nimble actors take on all of Austen’s beloved heroines, friends, and love interests - and her incisive social satire - in just 80 minutes.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that an audience in possession of high spirits must be in want of a ticket to this big-hearted comedy that will delight Janeites and newcomers alike.
“Played to perfection... a delightfully funny romp through the Austen canon ”
- Bristol 247
We’re excited to bring back Season Tickets for our Movie Matinees and Lunchtime Recitals, offering you 15% off!
We know many of you attend these regularly, and we’re delighted to make it even easier to enjoy them.
Season Tickets are available on our website, in person, or over the phone from our box office.
LUNCHTIME RECITALS
2 20 5 £ 5 1
talk
SCIENCECAFE
Thursday27thMarch
7.30pm
£6
FREEforstudentsinfulltimeeducation
Our regular Science Cafe returns once more with a veritable cornucopia of science.
Each speaker has a quarter of an hour to talk, then you, the audience, take over
Whether you want to grill the speaker about generalities or pose a particular problem, the floor is yours
Our cafe is just the place to sample some new scienceand something from the bar!
music
PRIMARYSCHOOL
ASSEMBLY BANGERSLIVE!
Friday28thMarch
8pm SOLDOUT
Join James B Partridge for an evening of pure nostalgia, with joyful singalong tunes that transport you back to your primary school days. No need to sit cross-legged on the school hall floor, and singing along is highly encouraged!
Expect assembly classics, musical surprises, throwback mashups, and hilarious reflections on growing up in the 90s.
James is a talented singing teacher and performer with appearances on BBC’s The One Show, Breakfast, ITV’s Loose Women, and Netflix’s Cheat. His viral videos have been featured in The Times, The Independent, and Buzzfeed, and he’s been heard on BBC Radio 2, Absolute Radio, and numerous local stations
With his infectious energy and wit, James promises an evening of music and laughter you won’t want to miss.
screening
NATIONAL THEATRELIVE:DR STRANGELOVE
Sunday30thMarch
7pm
£15Standard
£13CourthouseFriends
Co-adapted by Armando Iannucci and directed by Sean Foley, this world premiere stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove stars seven-time BAFTA Award-winner Steve Coogan (Alan Partridge, The Trip).
Coogan takes on four roles in this explosively funny satire, where a rogue U.S. General’s nuclear attack sparks a surreal race to avert global destruction.
With a world-class creative team including Emmy Award-winner Armando Iannucci (The Thick of It, Veep) and Olivier Award-winner Sean Foley (The Upstart Crow, The Play What I Wrote), this is a must-see comedy masterpiece.
Creative Workshops
Creative Workshops
Kickstart your creativity at The Courthouse
We are proud to be hosting a range of wonderful workshops every other month in our welcoming community room. All workshops are led by skilled local artisans, with years of experience in delivering high quality teaching sessions. From book binding to calligraphy, mosaics to lino printing we have opportunities to suit all.
February
Monday 24th, 10am-1pm: Gouache and Watercolour Painting, £30
Tutor – Julia Bidoli
Tuesday 25th, 10am-1pm: Japanese Book Binding, £26
Tutor – Vickie Orton
Wednesday 26th, 10am-12pm: Bird and Botanical Glass Painting, £36
Tutor – Liz O’Connell
All materials will be provided
April
Monday 28th, 10am-12pm: Beginners Modern Calligraphy, £36
Tutor – Natalie Winder
Tuesday 29th, 10am-1pm: Lino print a Tote Bag, £36
Tutor – Vickie Orton
Wednesday30th,10am-1pm:Mosaics:TheBirdsandtheBees,£36
Tutor – Frances Taylor
All materials will be provided
June
Monday 23rd, 10am-1pm: Workshop TBC
Tuesday 24th, 10am-1pm: Workshop TBC
Wednesday 25th, 10am-1pm: Workshop TBC
Thursday 26th, 10am-1pm: Workshop TBC
Look out for further details of the workshops on our website and social media.
If you are interested in becoming part of the workshop tutor team then please email: director@otleycourthouse.org.uk
THELINDISFARNE STORY:NOTIME TOLOSE
Friday4thApril
Lindisfarne, known for their mix of folk, blues, and rock, burst onto the international music scene in 1970. With unforgettable melodies, harmonies, and Geordie swagger, they quickly became a musical force, earning hit records and sellout tours Iconic songs like Lady Eleanor, Winter Song, Meet Me On The Corner, and Run For Home are still performed worldwide.
Chapter Six highlights their debut album, Nicely Out of Tune, praised by New Musical Express as “the best debut album by a UK band” in 1971 This album set the stage for their success with Fog on the Tyne.
Join founding drummer Ray Laidlaw and former frontman Billy Mitchell for a celebration of Lindisfarne’s music, memories, and legacy in The Lindisfarne Story: No Time To Lose.
LUNCHTIME
Saturday5thApril
(2Adults,2Children)
Subterfuge, Seagulls and Salty Air.
Who doesn’t love a seaside escape? Nostalgic, escapist, and timeless, but some towns get left behind…
Holly visits Fiddling-On-Sea for a quiet break but is swept into the chaos of the Best Beach Hut Competition. As history resurfaces, she uncovers stories and secrets, realising there’s more at stake than the prize.
Join Mikron for Operation Beach Hut, a musical celebration of the Great British seaside.
Every performance includes integrated audio description, ensuring accessibility for allno headsets required.
Thursday10thApril
Catherine Strachan, a cellist from Aberdeen, began her musical education with local youth orchestras and the authority music service. She studied modern and baroque cello performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and earned an MA in baroque performance practice at the University of York
Now based in York, Catherine is a freelance cellist and string teacher, performing with ensembles like The Brigantes Orchestra, The 18th Century Sinfonia, and Late Music Ensemble. She also plays with The Ebor Quartet, Leeds Baroque, Leodis Consort, and York Opera.
David Hammond, a pianist from Oxfordshire, has performed at cathedrals including Manchester, Carlisle, and Wakefield, and has led Javanese Gamelan workshops in York.
Tea/coffee & biscuit included in ticket price.
MEGSONFEAT. JOHNPARKER music
Friday11thApril
8pm
£19
Megson is a unique folk duo made up of Debs Hanna (vocals, whistle, piano, accordion) and Stu Hanna (guitar, mandola, banjo). Blending heavenly vocals, lush harmonies, and driving guitars have earned them four BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominations and multiple Spiral Earth Awards.
The Guardian hails them as "the most original duo on the British folk scene ” , while fRoots magazine says, “if you don’t like the music here, you have a problem.” They’re praised for intelligent songwriting, exquisite musicianship, and northern humour.
Over 20 years, Megson have released thirteen acclaimed albums and kept fans engaged during lockdowns with live-streamed concerts.
Now, they’re touring the UK with double bass legend John Parker (Nizlopi) and preparing to release a new EP in Spring 2025.
poetry
ROGER
McGOUGH:ALIVE ANDGIGGING
Saturday12thApril
7.30pm
£21
Join Roger McGough as he performs poetry from his new collection, ‘Collected Poems’ - a distillation of over 40 books spanning sixty years Known as the ‘Patron Saint of Poetry,’ McGough is BBC Radio 4’s Poetry Please presenter and President of the Poetry Society, inspiring countless young poets.
At 87, he takes to the stage with wit and charm, performing new works and old favourites. Audiences will journey through key moments of his life, from his Liverpool childhood during World War II, with poems like The Full English and Learning to Read, to reflections on his parents in The Railing and What Does Your Father Do.
There’s nostalgia for the ’60s with nods to The Beatles and Top of the Pops, alongside laugh-out-loud pieces about aging, cats and dogs, including A Cure for Ageing and Mafia Cats
“McGough has done for poetry what champagne does for weddings” – Time Out
music
THEBRIDGE:A CUBANGUITAR JOURNEY
Friday18thApril
8pm
£17
The Bridge is Cuba’s most internationally acclaimed guitar duo. With their musical empathy, Eduardo Martín and Ahmed Dickinson transform their concerts into a vehicle that connects, incorporates and juxtaposes their different generations; and the spiritual journey that drives their thrilling yet soothing performances.
The Bridge is a compilation of the most alluring works for two guitars by Grammy nominated composer Eduardo Martín. Here, classical styles and rock merge with son montunos, old Yoruba chants, feel-good rumbas, funk-boleros and new age tunes, while cinematic pieces sit alongside Cuban tumbaos with slap bass.
RYANYOUNG
Saturday19thApril 8pm £17
Ryan Young, a 2022 MG ALBA Musician of the Year nominee, brings new and exciting ideas to traditional Scottish music with his expressive and distinctive fiddle playing.
His debut album, recorded with Grammy-winner Jesse Lewis and guitarist Dennis Cahill was launched at the Feakle Traditional Music Festival.
Ryan’s style reinvigorates classic Scottish tunes, blending emotional depth, rhythmic drive, and precision
A Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduate with firstclass honours and a Masters, Ryan has earned numerous accolades, including ‘Up and Coming Artist of the Year’ at the 2017 Scots Trad Awards and nominations for the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year.
Ryan will be performing as a duo with acclaimed guitarist Owen Sinclair
LUNCHTIME
RECITAL:BETHANYHANNAH
WINTERINGHAM
Thursday24thApril 1pm £10
Bethany-Hannah
Winteringham, soprano, earned a first-class degree in Classical Voice from Leeds Conservatoire
Career highlights include performances at the York Proms, as ‘Belinda’ in Dido and Aeneas, ‘Child’ in A Yorkshire Nativity’s premier, and at Castle Howard’s ‘Countryfile Live’ She has performed for the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire and York Civic Party.
In addition to classical music, Bethany-Hannah sings musical theatre, with roles in Oklahoma!, Fiddler on the Roof, Cats!, and West Side Story.
Additionally she performed in the Leeds Opera Festival ‘POWER’.
Tea/coffee & biscuit included in ticket price.
Season Ticket available
comedy
GEOFFNORCOTT: WORKIN PROGRESS
Friday25thApril 8pm SOLDOUT
Geoff Norcott, renowned comedian and commentator, returns to the Courthouse for his highly anticipated Work in Progress tour.
With an impressive TV and radio career, Geoff has appeared on Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, Have I Got News for You, The Last Leg, and A League of Their Own, among many others
A regular voice on national radio, Geoff hosts the popular ‘What Most People Think’ podcast and has had several successful stand-up tours, including Taking Liberties and I Blame the Parents. He’s also a soughtafter social commentator, appearing on shows like Politics Live, Peston, and Question Time.
Don't miss the chance to catch this sharp, satirical comic live!
music
theatre comedy
THESTEELERS: THEMUSICOF STEELYDAN BREATH
Saturday26thApril
7.30pm £16
A rare chance to hear the music of the legendary US band Steely Dan played live The Steelers, a 9-piece band featuring musicians from across the UK, will perform timeless classics from albums like Pretzel Logic, The Royal Scam, AJA, and Gaucho.
Co-founded by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen in 1972, Steely Dan produced some of the finest music of the 20th century Expect a faithful live rendition of these stunning tracks, written by the songwriters often called ‘The American Beatles’.
This show is a must for Steely Dan fans, but also for anyone who appreciates clever lyrics, superb arrangements, and excellent musicianship If previous Steelers performances are anything to go by, this promises to be an exceptional evening.
JAMES ROWLAND: LEARNINGTOFLY
Friday2ndMay
7.30pm £13
Critically acclaimed storyteller James Rowland returns with his captivating mix of theatre, comedy and music.
Learning To Fly sees James tell the story of a remarkable friendship he made with a scary old lady who lived in the spooky house on his street when he was a lonely, unhappy teenager
It's about connection, no matter what the obstacles; about love’s eternal struggle with time; about music and its ability to heal
Uplifting, big hearted and hilarious
Age guidance 14+
“A riveting, remarkable hour of theatre...” - The Guardian
Saturday3rdMay
7.30pm
£16Standard
£14NHSStaff
NHS anaesthetist, comedian and author Ed Patrick injects Otley with a gut-punch hilarious show about becoming a junior doctor, the NHS, the pitfalls of modern medicine and the power of questioning it.
As seen on Channel 4, Have I Got News For You and heard on BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Scotland.
Ed also hosts the ‘Comedians Surgery’ podcast where he speaks to guests including Joe Lycett, Rose Matafeo and Reginald D Hunter about their health stories and experiences.
Age guidance 16+
“Brilliantly funny”
- Matt Lucas
“Masterful, playfully provocative writing”
- Chortle
music
LUNCHTIME RECITAL: SAXSHADES
Thursday8thMay 1pm
£10
OTLEYTOWN
JONPALMER ACOUSTICBAND
Saturday10thMay 8pm
£11
SaxShades was formed in 2001 by Debbie Scherer and Sarah Jobson and has existed in their current line up since 2016.
With a standard saxophone quartet instrumentation of soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones,SaxShades plays a wide range of music from baroque to rock and just about everything in between.
SaxShades has a strong commitment to supporting the creation and performance of new music and has made a significant contribution to the saxophone quartet repertoire through commissions and premieres.
The quartet has commissioned works from British and American composers, all of which feature on their CD ‘Beginnings’.
The members of the quartet also perform with other regional ensembles and have worked as woodwind teachers across Yorkshire for many years.
Friday9thMay 7pm
£5
Join us on Friday 9th May for a special evening of remembrance and celebration Watch Mark Currie’s film ‘Memories of Wartime’ and celebrate the re-launch of Dr Jason Knowles’ book ‘OtleyMemories of World War Two’.
The evening will feature guest speakers and live music from a brass quintet and singer, all honouring the enduring spirit of VE Day.
Local folk-rock favourites return for their annual show!
Jon Palmer Acoustic Band are an award winning, high energy, 6-piece folk, roots and rock & roll band based in West Yorkshire, where they have built a strong reputation as an exciting live act. Jon Palmer, who writes all the band's songs, is a prolific songwriter who draws on his folk roots as well as more contemporary themes.
The band are accomplished musicians and no strangers to the intimacy of a club setting, the warmth of a theatre, or performing on a full-blown festival stage.
Expect banging choruses, social commentary, and probably a sea shanty or two!
music
CHRISWOOD
Sunday11thMay 8pm
£17
In a world of soundbites and distractions Chris Wood is a truth seeker. His writings are permeated with love and wry intelligence, uplifting and challenging as he celebrates the sheer onething-after-anotherness of life
Tom Robinson and Chris Difford are fans, while Stick In The Wheel and The Unthanks look to him as an influence.
Winner of 6 BBC Folk Awards, he's played with The Royal Shakespeare Company and was a key member of The Imagined Village along with Billy Bragg and Martin Carthy. A wise and soulful craftsman, his concerts are a cliche free zone.
“Chris Wood might be the Ken Loach of songwriting. Very political, but at the same time full of compassion, and he grows sharper and more acute with each passing album. He’s good, quite probably the very best we have today, and we need him more than ever. ” - fRoots Magazine
theatre
SHERLOCK HOLMES-THE LASTACT
Saturday17thMay
7.30pm £17
OTLEY COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA music
AtBridgeStreetChurch
Sunday18thMay
7.30pm £10
The year is 1916. Drawn from two years of Sussex retirement for the funeral of his friend, Dr Watson, Holmes returns to Baker Street to resolve ‘the last act’ of his epic career.
A theatrical evening then unfolds, with fourteen characters, all played by Nigel Miles-Thomas in a tour de force performance.
Cross-examinations, heated arguments between Holmes and Watson, and all manner of comic and serious interactions take place between many famous Conan Doyle characters.
As the play concludes the great detective reveals a shocking secret
“Nigel Miles-Thomas plays Holmes with magical candour. Brilliant, Unmissable” - Noho Arts
Join the Otley Chamber Orchestra for their Annual Concert in the Bridge Street Chapel Hall, conducted by Ben Frampton. Over the past fifteen years this has become a keenly anticipated event in Otley's music calendar with many of their players from the local area.
The main work will be Dvorak's Symphony No.8. Richly orchestrated, spontaneous and fresh, this superb work is filled with joy and his admiration for natural beauty. Bright and optimistic in tone, the symphony evokes the sunny pastoral world of Dvorak's beloved Bohemia and is filled with folk melodies, peasant dances and bird songs
The symphony, part of an enjoyable programme will surely both please and entertain
This is an evening not to be missed!
HOMESERVICE
Sunday18thMay
8pm
£26 music
Home Service are back on the road with Bob Fox at the helm.
With Graeme Taylor’s fiery guitar and a stirring brass section, the eight-piece band’s music blends folk, classical, and rock, exploring contemporary themes through historical settings.
Bob Fox, a revered voice in British folk, joined Home Service in 2023 after John Tams’ retirement, debuting at the Broadstairs Folk Festival. Known for his role as ‘Songman’ in the National Theatre’s War Horse, Fox brings a fresh energy to the band
Originally making waves in the 1980s with albums like Alright Jack, Home Service headlined major festivals and provided music for The Mysteries trilogy at the National Theatre. They made a powerful return in 2011, winning Best Live Act at the Radio 2 Folk Awards
In 2024, the band returned to touring, receiving acclaim from loyal fans, and released ‘A Live Transmission’, their first album featuring Bob Fox
LUNCHTIME
Thursday22ndMay 1pm
£10 music
Helen Nakhwal (oboe and cor anglais) and John Truss (piano) will perform music for oboe, cor anglais and piano in a variety of styles that is sure to engage the audience.
The duo are experienced chamber and orchestral musicians playing in wellregarded ensembles in the Leeds, Bradford and Harrogate areas They both enjoy music in different genres, from early, baroque, classical, romantic to 20th and 21st century music.
They look forward to presenting a programme that will include classics from the oboe repertoire and showcase works by women composers
Tea/coffee & biscuit included in ticket price Season Ticket available.
music
CHRISINGHAM TRIO:THEJAZZ OFDUDLEY MOORE
Friday23rdMay 7.30pm
£17
Beloved comic actor Dudley Moore (1935 - 2002) was also a dazzling jazz pianist and a composer of wit and depth.
The Chris Ingham Trio revisit Dudley’s evocative and appealing 1960s jazz in a rich, rewarding presentation packed with striking music and fascinating anecdotes
This acclaimed show has been warmly received at Ronnie Scott’s and in concerts and festivals throughout the UK while the group ’ s CD Dudley has received rave reviews fulsomely approving the overdue celebration of a remarkable British musician
"Unfailingly tuneful and spiced with gentle harmonic guile Dudley would have been delighted" - Observer
music
PEGGYSEEGER WITHNEIL& CALUMMacCOLL90THBIRTHDAY FAREWELLTOUR
Saturday24thMay
8pm SOLDOUT
Peggy Seeger, the grande dame of folk music, embarks on her final concert tour in June 2025, celebrating her 90th birthday with sons Neill and Calum MacColl.
With 75 years of performing, Peggy will share songs from her extraordinary career and new tracks from her final album Her music, wit, and captivating delivery remain timeless
Neill and Calum bring superb musicianship, family banter, and harmonies, creating an unforgettable experience with audience participation.
“Peggy Seeger inspires; as funny, feisty and angry as ever ” - The Guardian
music
JUDIE TZUKE: JUDE THE UNSINKABLE
Friday30thMay
7.30pm £31
This intimate evening features old favourites and songs from Judie Tzuke’s acclaimed new album, Jude The Unsinkable.
A celebrated UK singersongwriter, Judie’s beautifully crafted songs highlight her status as one of the country’s most respected artists
Judie will be joined by T.I.G.Y composed of Bailey Tzuke and Matt Racher, alongside her long-time guitarist Chaz Thorogood.
Known worldwide for her timeless song ‘Stay With Me Till Dawn’ and top 10 albums like ‘Welcome to the Cruise’, Judie continues to deliver exquisite live performances that highlight her extraordinary talent.
“Much of the audience has been in love with her since Stay With Me Till Dawn ” - The Independent
music
ALASDAIR FRASER& NATALIEHAAS
Thursday5thJune
8pm
£18
The duo of Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser and Californian cellist Natalie Haas brings together the elegance of chamber music with ecstatic dance energy.
Over 20 years, they’ve redefined fiddle and cello in traditional music, captivating audiences worldwide with their virtuosity, neartelepathic connection, and joyful spontaneity.
Fraser, a Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame inductee, boasts a career spanning three decades, including award-winning recordings and performances on major film soundtracks.
Haas, a Juilliard graduate, and one of the most soughtafter cellists in traditional music, collaborates with top fiddle players globally Together, they blend deep Scottish roots with innovative string explorations, inspiring new generations of musicians through their performances and teaching at international fiddle camps.
OOTLEY TLEY GGREENFAIR REENFAIR
22025 025
comedy music
JUSTIN MOORHOUSE:
Friday6thJune
8pm
£17Standard
£7Unwaged
Get ready for an unforgettable experience as Justin returns with "The Greatest Performance of My Life"
After a successful and extensively extended tour of his 2022 show Stretch and Think, he's back on the road with this new show. The story covers subjects ranging from pantomimes to dreams, how to behave in hospitals, small talk, realising his Mum is a northern version of Columbo, and how being a smart-mouthed kid saved him from a life of continually being beaten up.
Above all else, it's the Justin you come to expect. It's funny and interesting, and perhaps there's a little bit that warms the soul, too.
Age guidance: 14+
"What sets him apart is the craft. Lightning fast wit, masterful delivery "
- Chortle
Saturday 7th June 10am-4pm Free
Join in the nation-wide BIG GREEN WEEK and come to Otley’s very own Green Fair.
There will be stalls with information about sustainable lifestyles and how to get involved in promoting the well-being of the planet
Local craftspeople will be selling hand-made goods There will be a raffle as well as a variety of workshops and entertainments for adults and children.
The café will be open serving a special menu featuring vegetarian and vegan food as well as Fair Trade snacks and drinks
Further details on the Courthouse website nearer the time
KEITHJAMES
Saturday14thJune
8pm
£18
Keith James is probably one of the most active and wellloved musicians in the country His passionate solo performances have visited just about every theatre and arts centre in the UK as well as venues across Europe. In concert, Keith has always been a unique and delicate performer, specialising in reinterpreting the music of writers for whom he has always embraced a deep, life long, heartfelt belief: Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and Cat Stevens.
Included in this concert will be many ‘stand out’ songs from his vast back catalogue of concerts: Nick Drake’s Northern Sky, Leonard Cohen’s Suzanne, Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi, Cat Stevens’ Moonshadow and Lorca’s El Mascaron, as well as many of Keith’s own songs which have found their place on his list of original CD Albums across the past decades.
‘Devotion, integrity, experience All spinning as one ’ - Guardian
screening music
EXHIBITIONON SCREEN:DAWN OF IMPRESSIONISM: PARIS1874
Thursday19thJune
7pm
£9Standard
£8CourthouseFriends
The Impressionists are now celebrated as some of the most popular artists in history, but in their early days, they were outsiders
In 1874, they defied convention by holding their own exhibition, which marked the birth of Impressionism and forever changed the art world
What led to that pivotal moment? Who were the bold figures behind this revolutionary movement?
The Musée d'Orsay exhibition offers a fresh perspective, telling the story through the voices of the artists, press, and people of Paris in 1874
In collaboration with the Musée d'Orsay and the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., this 90minute film directed by Ali Ray brings their groundbreaking show to the big screen.
BUDAPESTCAFÉ ORCHESTRA
Friday20thJune
7.30pm
£21
The Budapest Café Orchestra (BCO) brings gypsy and folk-inspired music to life, blending Balkan, Russian, and Gaelic influences with surprising twists
Founded in 2009 by British composer and violinist Christian Garrick, this quartet creates a rich, ensemble-like sound using violin, guitar, accordion, double bass, saz, balalaika, domra, and percussion
With 15 albums to their name, BCO’s performances evoke images of Tzigane fiddlers, Budapest cafés, and gypsy campfires, showcasing exceptional skill and inventive arrangements.
The group features celebrated soloists Eddie Hession on accordion and Christian Garrick on violin, joined by string maestro Adrian Zolotuhin and veteran bassist Kelly Cantlon.
“Not so much a band name as a whole genre of its own.”
- The Scotsman
music
THEBOOTLEG SHADOWS
Saturday21stJune
7.30pm
£23
The Bootleg Shadows perform a unique concert that encompasses the Shadows amazing career from 1960 up until the early 80s
Concert audiences are invited to relive fantastic hits such as Apache, Foot Tapper, Riders in The Sky , Atlantis, Wonderful Land, Kon Tiki, Cavatina and FBI and a few wild cards for good measure!
For anyone who loves the sounds of the 60s - and enjoys a few laughs on the way - ‘The Bootleg Shadows’ perform a unique tribute that has audiences humming the tunes and doing the Shadows famous 'walk' long after they have left the theatre.
talk
SCIENCECAFE
Thursday26thJune 7.30pm
£6
FREEforstudentsinfulltimeeducation
Our regular Science Cafe returns once more with a veritable cornucopia of science.
music
MAX13:ASUMMER SERENADE
Sunday29thJune
4pm
£11
Childrenunder16FREE withaccompanyingadult
ZERVAS& PEPPER:THIS FLIGHTTONIGHT -THESONGSOF JONIMITCHELL
Friday11thJuly
Each speaker has a quarter of an hour to talk, then you, the audience, take over.
Whether you want to grill the speaker about generalities or pose a particular problem, the floor is yours
Our cafe is just the place to sample some new scienceand something from the bar!
MAX 13 is a wind ensemble formed by musicians with over 30 years of shared friendships and experience in Yorkshire and North East orchestras Their special bond ensures a lively and enjoyable concert, perfect for a Summer Sunday tea time.
This performance features Mozart's Gran Partita Serenade K361, complemented by Gary Carpenter's Pantomime - a modern contrast for the same forces. A smaller ensemble piece will also be included.
MAX 13 plans to continue as a flexible group, showcasing the rich repertoire of wind chamber music
7.30pm
£24
Acclaimed singer songwriters Zervas & Pepper present an intimate fivepiece acoustic tribute to the music of Joni Mitchell.
Featuring songs such as 'California', 'Blue', 'Woodstock' 'Both Sides Now', 'Coyote', 'Big Yellow Taxi', 'A Case Of You', and many more from the nucleus of Mitchell's work, that pivotal break-out period of 1968-1976 with voice, guitar and piano front and centre
Zervas & Pepper’s concert makes the audience feel as though they are having a private listening session at Joni's house in Laurel Canyon during the summer of love.
"I like Zervas & Pepper... Fine singing!" - CSN&Y's David Crosby
WOOLPACK
GAELFORCE
Sunday27thJuly
7.30pm
£15
Friday18thJuly
8pm
£11
Established in 2012, Woolpack Studios Choir is a welcoming community choir from Otley with no auditions or music-reading requiredjust a love of singing!
Directed by Richard and Jen, the choir performs pop, soul, rock, country, and more in three or four-part harmony, with favourites like Caramel by Corinne Bailey Rae and Cloudbusting by Kate Bush.
Rehearsing weekly at Otley Social Club, the group includes 30 - 40 singers.
They are thrilled to return to Otley Courthouse for their Summer Concert, performing songs from their 2025 repertoire. Opening the night is Otley Rock Orchestra with a set of classics by Queen, ABBA, Pink Floyd, and more
Forshowdetailsortojoin weeklyrehearsals,email: jennifer@woolpackstudios.co.uk
Gaelforce are a superb Celtic folk rock band with fiddle, Highland bagpipes, guitar, bass, and drums Traditional and original songs and tunes from Scotland and Ireland are given the Gaelforce treatment.
Their new album, ‘Solstice’, includes the often-requested Morris Man’s Blues.
Gaelforce have been busy since winning the Great British Folk Festival Introducing Stage in 2023 In 2025, the band will appear at the Costa Festival in Ibiza, Fairport's Cropredy Fringe Festival, Ely Folk Festival, and several others
MOVING LANDSCAPES
28thJuly-1stAugust
£325orearlybird:
£275(before31/05/2025)
Through the week we will explore Skinner Releasing Technique in the studio and outside, finding improved alignment, ease, articulation, and freedom of movement.
Poetic imagery, hands on partner work and movement explorations will encourage the releasing of old habits, allowing new possibilities to occur.
These ideas will be taken into three contrasting environments: the secluded forest of Timble, the vast, rocky landscape of Brimham Rocks and Otley Chevin with its dramatic views. Inside and outside are integrated, allowing new perception and creativity to emerge.
“Fundamentally changed the way I reference my experience with nature”
- Previous participant
Regular Classes
Monday
Chair Based Yoga: 10.30am-11.30am
Mind, Body Connection: 12pm-1pm
Singing for the Brain: 2pm-4pm (fortnightly)
Footloose Dance: 4.15pm-7.15pm
Ballroom: 7 30pm-9 30pm
Wednesday
Tai Chi: 9.45am-11.15am
Zumba Gold:1.30pm-2.15pm
Inspirations Children’s Dance: 4.15pm-6.15pm
The Chippendales Singers: 7.30pm9 30pm
Friday
Rhythm Time (for toddlers): 9.30am-12pm
Otley Writers: 10am-12pm
Adult Crochet: 10.30am-11.30am
Adult Art: 11am-12.30pm
Tuesday
Pilates: 9.30am-10.30am
Ladies Exercise: 11am-12pm
Courthouse Choir: 1.30pm-3.30pm
Inspirations Children’s Dance:4.15pm7pm
Otley Brass Band: 7.30pm-9.45pm
Thursday
Senior Ladies Exercise: 10am-11am
Saturday
Pic ‘ n ’ Knits: 10.30am-12.30pm
Children’s Theatre Group: 10.30am-1pm
Sunday
Quakers: 11am-1pm (once a month)
For more information about our regular classes please pop in to The Courthouse to collect a pamphlet or see more details on our website.
COURTHOUSE MEMBERSHIP SCHEME...
Our funding comes from a range of sources, but in order to survive and to continue providing our current wide range of activities, the Courthouse needs to generate at least 90% of its own income.
We rely on fundraising and donations for additional revenue, and upon the hard work of our team of dedicated volunteers. By becoming a Friend or Companion, you are playing a big part in helping to keep the Courthouse thriving.
FRIENDOFTHE COURTHOUSE
Singleorjointmembership (£20/£35)
Collectrewardstouseatthe boxoffice
Freedrinktokenonceayear
Advancednoticeofnew events
COURTHOUSE COMPANION
Annualdonationof minimum£20without therewards
Thismembershipallows ustoclaimagiftaidon it,whichmeansyouare helpingusevenmore withoutspending anotherpenny
DESIGNER CRAFTFAIRS BECOMEA VOLUNTEER
Wehaveaninspirational teamofdedicatedvolunteers whoareinvolvedinafull rangeofactivitiesatthe Courthouse.Aswellas supportingtheCourthouse andlocalcommunity,it'sa spaceforhavingfunand makingnewfriends
Fulltrainingandsupportis giventoALLofour volunteers,socontactour VolunteerCoordinatorifit's somethingyou'dliketobea partof:
01943 467 466
COURTHOUSE EXHIBITIONS
Designer Craft Fairs are on the last Sunday of the month, running from 10am-1pm.
Whether it's handmade jewellery, stationery, gifts, artwork or something different, you can always find a locally-crafted curio at our craft fairs
The café is always open too, so you can grab tea, coffee or a piece of cake!
If you are interested in becoming a stall holder, please email!
Art work by Martha Taylor Art - @marthataylorart
volunteer@otleycourthouse.org.uk
craftfairsatotleycourthouse@gmail.com
exhibitions@otleycourthouse org uk
We aim to host an exhibition by local artists and art clubs every month.
This Spring, come and enjoy exhibitions by: A-level students at Prince Henry’s Grammar School, Frances Taylor and Vanessa Plews amongst others
Our exhibitions are organised by a group of volunteers. If you are interested in having an exhibition at Otley Courthouse, please get in touch
Brochure Design: Saskia Goodwill
marketing@otleycourthouse.org.uk
