Upstagers Theatre Group

The Upstagers Theatre Group operates out of Ilkley, putting on the sort of amateur productions that remind you why local theatre matters. They're a proper community outfit - the kind of place where you'll find earnest performances from people who do this because they love it, not for a wage cheque.

What you get depends on their current schedule. Check their website before you head over; they run plays, musicals, and comedy throughout the year. The performances tend to be well-attended by locals, which says something about the quality. It's intimate stuff - you're not in some sprawling auditorium but surrounded by people who actually know what they're watching. The standard is genuinely good. I've seen amateur theatre that makes you wince, but Upstagers generally know what they're doing.

If you're staying at Tip Top Campsite just down the road, this is a cracking way to spend an evening rather than sitting in the caravan. It works particularly well if you've got teenagers in tow who've grown bored with walks and are after something with actual entertainment value. Adults will likely enjoy the relaxed atmosphere too - there's none of the pretension you sometimes get with professional theatre.

Check opening times and what's on before you visit. Admission varies depending on the production, but amateur theatre rarely costs much. Worth building into a longer Yorkshire break rather than treating it as a standalone trip, but if you're camped nearby and there's something decent on, absolutely go.