A Backstage Heartbeat: The People Powering Ilkley Playhouse

We can all agree that Ilkley Playhouse is one of the town’s greatest cultural treasures. Its eclectic mix of productions, comedies, dramas, musicals, classics, and contemporary gems, has long made it a jewel in Ilkley’s crown. But for many residents, what happens behind the scenes remains an untold story.

In truth, the magic on stage is only possible because of a remarkable network of staff and volunteers working tirelessly year-round. Among them are two people whose passion, vision and love of live theatre help shape every season: Co-Artistic Directors Damien O’Keefe and Yvette Huddleston.

Since 2023, they have shared the role because both hold full-time jobs, Damien as Head of Acting and Academic Studies at a performing arts college in Leeds, and Yvette as a freelance arts journalist and Arts Editor of the Yorkshire Post. Between them, they carry a joint mission to share their love of Ilkley Playhouse and champion theatre in our local region.

“It’s the community that made me fall in love with theatre,” Damien reflects. “I came up through a youth theatre in Bradford and found my tribe. It’s fair to say that it helped me through those angst-filled teenage years and the friendships that were forged and that level of creativity really helped me at the time and subsequently shaped my whole life. Being able to help provide that for others here in Ilkley feels incredibly special.”

Damien’s journey to the Playhouse is steeped in performance. From a childhood debut as Tom Baker’s Doctor Who in a school assembly, he went on to study performing arts, work as a professional actor, run a theatre company, teach for nearly two decades and direct at venues across the region. He first stepped onto the Ilkley Playhouse stage in 2014 and has since become a fixture as both actor and director. He recently directed a production of Nigel Slater’s TOAST to rave reviews and a guest appearance by Nigel Slater himself!

Though he has fond memories of his years on stage, he says:

“I loved performing, but I’m glad I don’t do it professionally anymore. Teaching and directing give me that same buzz, creating new worlds, telling stories that move people. Every project is a favourite because every show is a chance to offer audiences a new world and new experiences. It’s all about the emotional connection.”

Yvette’s path has been equally rich. For about 20 years, she has acted, directed, written and advocated for theatre at Ilkley Playhouse. Her productions have travelled as far as the Minack Theatre in Cornwall and include the award-winning 2009 production of The Crucible, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Wuthering Heights and the 2019 production of Blue Stockings. She recently performed in The Labour of Love and directed The Human Body in March 2026.

Together, Yvette and Damien steer the artistic direction of the Playhouse. The process begins with their longlist of plays which is then whittled down by the Reading and Play Selection Committee; a group that carefully considers diversity, cast sizes, genre balance, audience appetite and availability.

“We want a varied, dynamic season,” Yvette explains. “Something that satisfies our loyal audiences, challenges our actors and directors, and attracts new people in.”

Balancing audience expectations with artistic ambition can be tricky.

“I’d love to do something contemporary and gritty,” Damien admits, “but we also don’t want to alienate people. It’s a balancing act – thinking about what’s available, what cast we can assemble, what will excite audiences, and how we can keep developing new talent.”

The result is the Playhouse’s signature eclectic mix: from crowd-pleasing comedies and musicals to powerful drama and bold modern work. The drive to broaden audiences and entice new actors is constant and supported by directors across the region, who are contacted each season with fresh opportunities.

Both Damien and Yvette are quick to emphasise the collective effort behind every success.

“An artistic director couldn’t do this role without the huge body of volunteers,” Damien says. “Acting in community theatre is something you do for love – there’s nothing like that feeling of making something together.”

Yvette echoes the sentiment:

“Everyone is fully committed; cast, crew, front of house, backstage. It’s an enormous collaboration, and that’s the beauty of it.”

Despite the Playhouse’s reputation, they note that there are still some people in Ilkley who don’t realise the theatre exists. Yet for those who have discovered it, the Playhouse is a treasured place. Damien and Yvette both hope more residents will step inside and experience the power of live theatre, because behind every show are people who believe deeply in what theatre can do: inspire and bring stories to life.