War, robots and ukuleles – what more could you want? Here’s some of the gigs, plays and movies to check out this weekend.
Theatre: Playboy of the Wide World
“It’s a big, brash, fantastically funny play,” according to director Andy Curry, who has adapted this Irish classic by relocating it to rural Yorkshire. Expect plenty of slapstick from this energetic farce. Friday, July 19 to Sunday, July 21 at the Friargate Theatre.
Film: The World’s End
If you’re in the mood for laughs this weekend, head towards The World’s End. The third in the “Cornetto trilogy” after Shaun Of The Dead and Hot Fuzz, this movie again teams up director Edgar Wright with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. The plot sees Gary King (Pegg) and Andy Knightley (Frost) out on the ultimate reunion – one night, five friends, 12 bars. They’re ready to take on the world, but tonight they might just have to save it…
Music by the river
Acoustic sessions by MOR Music, dance workshops, jazz breakfasts, performances by the Grand Old Uke Of York and Peter Marshall And The Lomos: there’s something for everyone at the Arts Barge rivers festival entertainment at Tower Gardens.
Film: Grave Of The Fireflies
Grave Of The Fireflies is a Japanese anime about a brother and sister trying to survive during the Second World War at City Screen in a 25th anniversary showing this week. Undeniably sad but stunningly rendered, this animation does not flinch from the true human tragedy of war.
Music: York Guitar Festival
York Guitar Festival returns for a weekend of world class performances, ensemble sessions, masterclasses, and more. With performances by world class soloist Gary Ryan, period music on period instruments by the Dodici Corde guitar duo, and Bishopthorpe’s own Mark Clifton Gaultier, all at Queen Margaret’s School, Escrick.
Hyena Lounge comedy
Dan Nightingale is down in The Basement this Saturday, a man who’s observational humour is described by the Hyena Lounge folks as “solidly funny with an undeniable ring of truth”. Keith Carter as Nige, Jarlath Regan and Julian Deane join him to cool you down via gales of laughter.