William Ilkley is to premiere his One Man Show, Alexa, Cry Me A Dance, at Ilkley Playhouse on 26 and 27 November.
The play follows Trevor, an ordinary 60-year-old man, living through extraordinary times, as he journeys through the present dark, towards a distant light, with a curious companion, cementing the past to the present, and connecting memories of love and music, as he dances with hope towards our new normal future.
William who grew up in Ilkley, living on Alexandra Place, and known to his schoolfriends as Billy Brown started his interest in the theatre through the guidance of David Wildman both at Ilkley Grammar School and at Ilkley Playhouse.
Between 1971 and 1977 William was constantly in productions at the school, the Playhouse and on tour with the playhouse to the Minack Theatre in Cornwall, his final appearance at Ilkley Playhouse was in Equus in 1978, by which time he was studying Drama at Rose Bruford College in London. Playhouse regulars may remember the controversy of William and Sara (Baverstock) being the first actors to appear naked on the playhouse stage!
William left Rose Bruford and turned professional in 1980 which is when he took the surname Ilkley to satisfy British Equity with their one person one name policy. He has championed the name of Ilkley all around the world in his 40 year career which has included hundreds of theatre shows, nearly 100 TV shows, 12 movies and the usual array of voice overs, commercials and corporate work.
At the time of the pandemic starting he was nearing the end of his 3 years with the National Theatre playing the leading role of Arthur Narracott in the UK and World Tour of War Horse in which he clocked up 831 performances. He has appeared in most regional theatres, The Edinburgh Festival, RSC Stratford, National Theatre London and many West End shows.
Find out how Trevor manages to keep the faith of optimism in these uncertain times - Alexa, Cry Me A Dance is his first one man show and he says that it just felt right to come full circle in his career and premiere this at the place where he started out – Ilkley Playhouse.
The two performances will take place in the Wildman Studio on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 November at 7.30pm. Tickets are just £12.00 and can be bought from the Playhouse Box Office – 01943 609539 or website ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk
Both performances will be followed by a hosted Q & A with William and the audience.
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