IT’S the beginning of a new era for the Milton Rooms in Malton this weekend as the building opens its doors as a centre of excellence for the arts.

Comedian and writer Barry Cryer will host a gala evening on Sunday which will include comedy, magic, music and dance.

Artistic directors Garry Cooper and Nick Bagnall, who have spent months planning the relaunch with the help of arts graduate Nick Barton, said they were extremely excited the opening night was now in sight.

“The Milton Rooms is back in business,” Garry said.

“We’ve had a mountain to climb in terms of funding and sponsorship but we are now ready to open the doors and welcome people back in.”

Garry added that the reaction from local people had been fantastic.

He said: “We’ve had a good response to our appeal for volunteers with more people coming forward, although we would still welcome more.”

Work started on the Milton Rooms in March with a major spring clean and redecoration. Ryedale District Council has provided funding to weatherproof the building with repairs to the roof, guttering, doors and windows, with additional grants from North Yorkshire County Council and the Fitzwilliam Estate helping towards equipment and lighting.

Additional private donations have provided the final push to pay for the Milton Rooms opening as an arts venue complete with main and studio theatres, recording studio and café bar.

Nick and Garry have also secured the backing of four prominent celebrities – Kathy Burke, Imelda Staunton, Bill Nighy and Jools Holland – as patrons.

As well as the programme already planned, Nick and Garry are in talks with a number of different companies, including the English Touring Theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse and The Globe in London to bring shows to Malton.

They also plan to do their own work in the new venue, and Nick, now a West End director, is busy rehearsing for his inaugural production, A Midsummer Night’s Dream on June 26.

Nick said he was ‘chomping at the bit’ for the venue to get underway on Sunday.

He said: “We’ve been working 24/7 over the past few weeks and I just feel the opening can’t come soon enough now and we welcome people through the doors. Sunday promises to be a star-studded evening with a number of special guests.”

As well as host Barry Cryer, the gala evening will include Colin Sell from I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue, magician Jon Marshall and West End stars Dave Rose, Laura Scott and Christopher Howell.

Barry said: “It is really good to be part of this new project and supporting the Milton Rooms in its infancy and I am sure it is going to achieve great things for Malton.”

Actress Imelda Staunton said: “It’s with great sadness that I won’t be able to make the gala evening at the Milton Rooms due to filming commitments but I am so thrilled that after all these months of incredibly hard graft, Nick and Garry can finally open the doors to what, I have no doubt, will be a brilliant and exciting new arts centre.

“I will definitely be there for Nick’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”


Win tickets to see Peatbog Faeries

THE Gazette & Herald has teamed up with the Milton Rooms in Malton to offer one lucky reader a pair of tickets to see a band described as the “future of Celtic dance music”.

The Peatbog Faeries incorporate many influences, from traditional jigs and reels through to jazz, hip hop, reggae and more, bringing the audience a true flavour of traditional Scottish music while offering high-octane Celtic dance music.

Their music has been used for several TV and DVD soundtracks and seen them in demand for many performances on the screen and radio.

But it is in front of an audience when the band, which are based on the Isle of Skye, truly comes to life. The Faeries have earned awards for their performances, including Live Act of the Year and impressed at festivals across Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and Australia.

Now they become one of the first bands to appear at the revamped Milton Rooms under the stewardship of artistic directors Garry Cooper and Nick Bagnall.

The new acoustic music room then kicks off with a performance by acclaimed singer Edwina Hayes on Wednesday, June 15.

A full list or performances are available from www.themiltonrooms.com

Tickets to see The Peatbog Faeries on Friday, June 17, and the other artists, are available from Malton Tourist Information Centre in Malton Museum or by phoning 01653 600048.

For a chance to win a pair of tickets, correctly answer the following question and email your answer to gazette@gazetteherald.co.uk

Question: Where are the Peatbog Faeries based?

The closing date for entries is Wednesday, June 15. The winner will be the first correct answer drawn on Thursday, June 16. Usual Newsquest rules apply. The editor’s decision is final.