SKIPTON Town Hall has unveiled a thrilling theatrical programme for autumn and winter 2016 with a range of exciting shows.

Audiences can look forward to a number of highlights as refurbishment of the historic building continues, with work on the roof due to start this autumn and new theatre equipment expected to be installed early next year.

Danielle Daglan, Programming & Venue Development Manager at Skipton Town Hall, said: “This is a really exciting time in the development of this beautiful Grade II listed building, with our Arts Council grant to fund new equipment in the concert hall, the stage 1 Heritage Lottery Fund project to transform our museum and gallery, and the preparation of commercial units at the front of the building.

“With all this going on, I’m delighted we’ve been able to produce such a brilliant and varied programme for the autumn/winter season. There should be something for everyone!”

Kali Theatre will perform My Big Fat Cowpat Wedding on Friday, October 7 – a fast and funny exploration of mixed marriages as a country girl marries a lad from the city. Audiences can join the celebration with a complimentary glass of fizz.

Then on Friday, October 14, Lost Dog Dance brings Paradise Lost (Lies Unopened Beside Me) to the Town Hall. Combining theatre, comedy and movement, this is a journey through the story of the creation of everything, condensed into 75 minutes. The show has received rave reviews and the Guardian newspaper described it as “a triumphant gallop through the story of creation”.

Louise Jordan’s show No Petticoats Here on Friday, November 25, tells stories through song of the remarkable women who lived through the First World War - one who dressed as a man and became a soldier - women who rescued airmen from No Man’s Land, inventors, engineers and factory workers.

Events at the museum will include Craven by Candlelight for Museums at Night, giving people the opportunity to take part in shadow puppetry and lantern-making, and The Big STEAM Powered Draw for the Big Draw, using the museum collection to inspire artwork.

The ever-popular afternoon Tea Dances are also returning, with John Bowdler as organist and host, with the next dance taking place on Tuesday September 27 and a Christmas special on Thursday December 15

The Town Hall’s next gallery exhibition also launches in October and runs until Christmas. Artyfacts is the result of a brilliant partnership with Pioneer Projects as part of the Museums’ Resilience funding, working with people living with dementia who have used Craven Museum’s wonderful Roebuck collection of fine art to inspire fantastic original works.

The exhibition hopes to raise people's awareness of dementia and also the great initiatives that have been carried out in the area.

To book tickets for any of the performances, contact Skipton Tourist Information Centre on 01756 792809, email skipton@ytbtic.co.uk or call in at the Town Hall, Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 4pm. To keep up to date with future events, see the Town Hall pages at www.cravendc.gov.uk and sign up to our mailing list.