Select 2023

York

In The Way Old Friends Do, a chance meeting leads to the formation of the world’s first ABBA tribute band… in drag! Written by and starring Ian Hallard and directed by husband Mark Gatiss, the play explores sexuality, fandom and friendship. Photo: Darren Bell.

6-10 June, York Theatre Royal (thewayoldfriendsdo.com)

West Bretton

Lindsey Mendick’s Where The Bodies Are Buried explores the artist’s recurring anxiety dream through a multimedia installation that investigates dreams, Gothic stories and television and cultural experiences from the 1990s, set in a decaying house with dark secrets beneath the floorboards.

6 Apr-3 Sep, Weston Gallery (ysp.org.uk)

Ormskirk

Wildlife artist Kerry Newell is hosting a series of workshops on pastels and watercolours for all artistic ability levels. Born in Leicestershire and now based in Cheshire, Newell studied at Loughborough Art College and has been creating for over 50 years.

22 Apr-25 Nov, WWT Martin Mere (wwt.org.uk)

Manchester

A Tale of Manchester Life – Elizabeth Gaskell’s Manchester celebrates the influence of Elizabeth Gaskell on 19th century British literature, her descriptions of the state of impoverished workers in 1848’s Mary Barton having “pricked the conscience of a nation”.

3 Apr onwards, Elizabeth Gaskell’s House (elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk)

Wakefield

If Not Now, When? Generations of Women in Sculpture in Britain, 1960-2022 explores the lives of female British sculptors during a significant period of social and artistic change, organised in collaboration with art historian Griselda Pollock and sculptor Lorna Green.

31 Mar-24 Sep, Hepworth Wakefield
(hepworthwakefield.org)

Sheffield

Hair: Untold Stories weaves together work of artists, filmmakers and designers with numerous objects and archive material reflecting our connection with our hair. Together, they tell personal, powerful and surprising stories, from Sheffield hair salons to the global hair trade.

10 Feb-29 Oct, Weston Park Museum (sheffieldmuseums.org.uk)