Looking for something a bit different to do this May? Whether you’re into laugh-out-loud comedies or nostalgic stories from childhood, the Grassington Players have got your evening sorted. Their upcoming spring show, Nine Lives and Second Chances, serves up two very different plays in one performance—and they couldn’t be more opposite.
This double bill is showing from 15th to 17th May at Grassington Town Hall (also known as the Devonshire Institute), and it’s perfect if you like your theatre served with a little bit of everything—humour, heart, and a dash of the unexpected.
Death walks into a hospital… and things get complicated
The first half of the night kicks off with Cheating Death, a short one-act play by Kamron Klitgard, a writer from California who’s known for mixing dark topics with funny twists. Don’t worry though—it’s not scary or depressing. It’s more like what would happen if Death had a bit of an identity crisis and walked into an episode of a hospital sitcom.
In the play, Death (played by Mark Bamforth) arrives at a hospital to collect a soul, only to tell the wrong person they’re about to die. Big oops. The other patients cotton on and decide to throw a spanner in the works by covering for the real intended “client”. From there, it turns into a game of cat and mouse—except Death’s the one trying to keep up.
Directed by Skye Wilkinson, this one’s short and snappy, but it sticks with you. It’s got that perfect mix of silliness and meaning. Think of it like The Good Place meets Fawlty Towers, with a hint of Beetlejuice thrown in.
From dark comedy to poetic cats with personality
After the interval, things take a turn for the whimsical. You’re probably familiar with Cats: The Musical, right? Well, this next part isn’t that. Not exactly. Instead, the Players are dipping into the original source: Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot.
This second performance, directed by John Anderson, brings to life six poems from Eliot’s famous collection. But instead of everyone dressing up in furry costumes and prancing around (we’ve all seen that version), this production takes a simpler, more playful route.
Only one poem is actually performed by a cat. The others are told by actors about cats—capturing all the personality, quirks and charm Eliot poured into his poems. You’ll meet characters like:
- Gus, the once-glorious stage actor cat who’s now a bit past his prime
- Growltiger, the fearsome feline pirate
- And a few other furry oddballs you might just recognise from your own pets
If you ever had this book read to you as a kid—or read it to your own—you’ll feel right at home.
Who’s involved?
The show brings together a bunch of familiar faces from the Grassington Players—a local amateur theatre group that’s anything but amateur in talent. They’ve been a staple in the local arts scene for years, known for their creativity and community spirit.
Directing duties are split between three members:
- Skye Wilkinson for Cheating Death
- Mark Bamforth also stars in the same play
- John Anderson takes the reins for the T.S. Eliot section
And yes, you’ll definitely spot a few regulars on stage if you’ve been to past performances.
When and where?
All performances take place at Grassington Town Hall, officially called The Devonshire Institute.
Here’s when you can catch the show:
🗓 Thursday 15th May to Saturday 17th May 2025
🕢 Evening shows start at 7:30pm
🕑 Matinee on Saturday 17th May at 2:30pm
🎟 Tickets cost:
- £12 for adults
- £8 for full-time students
Available from Grassington Hub or online at ticketsource.co.uk.
What makes this show worth seeing?
It’s not every day you get comedy about Death and classic poetry about cats on the same stage. The contrast is what makes it fun. One moment you’re laughing at a bloke in a robe trying to figure out how to do his job, and the next you’re swept up in lyrical storytelling that brings out the magic in the everyday behaviour of cats.
Whether you’re going with friends, dragging your teenager along, or just fancy a night out that’s a bit more than dinner and telly, this double feature is a cracking choice.
Fancy a ticket, then?
