A play with magic tricks, a wild-eyed guitarist and a country singer with strings 
attached fill CHARLES HUTCHINSON’S diary for April 13 to 15

Friday night is...studio theatre night and so is Saturday

The Trick, presented by Loose Tongue and High Tide, York Theatre Royal Studio, tonight (April 12) and tomorrow

THE Trick is a magical, moving meditation on ageing and grief wherein Mira lost her husband Jonah seven months ago, but just because he has died does not mean either of them is ready to let him go.

Mira knows she should be moving on but instead she finds herself caring less and less about the world outside.

Ghosts, goldfish, mediums and all kinds of sleight of hand collide in Eve Leigh’s new play, whose world premiere is directed by the award-winning Roy Alexander Weise. Look out for magic tricks to charm audiences throughout.

York Press:

At the top of his game: Wilko Johnson at Fibbers

Double bill gig of the weekend

Wilko Johnson with special guest Glenn Tilbrook, Fibbers, York, tomorrow

CANVEY Island rhythm and blues guitarist and cancer survivor Wilko Johnson has been playing Fibbers since 1994. “And he’s still, yes, still, at the top of his game,” says venue boss Tim Hornsby.

Now 71, the wild-eyed Dr Feelgood, Solid Senders and Blockheads guitar hero will be joined by Blockheads bassist Norman Watt-Roy and drummer Dylan Howe.

Be advised to arrive early: the support act will be Glenn Tilbrook, from the evergreen Squeeze.

York Press:

From Ontario to Selby: The Good Lovelies

Canadian roots act of the weekend

The Good Lovelies, Selby Town Hall, tomorrow

WINNERS of the 2010 Juno Award for Roots Album of the Year and four-time winners at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, Ontario’s The Good Lovelies rely on impeccable harmony vocals, high-quality songwriting and stage banter.

A new spirit of adventurousness is permeating their shimmering pop songs, performed on their 2019 tour in a full band format.

Acoustic gig of the weekend

Nick Harper, supported by Miles Salter, Fibbers, York, Sunday

NICK Harper is “one of Britain’s best kept musical secrets”, a folk troubadour, an acoustic balladeer, with a touch of rock’n’roll on the side. “He’s not folk. He’s emo skiffle. Pastoral hard rock. A progressive soul,” says Fibbers boss Tim Hornsby.

As the son of Roy Harper , he grew up surrounded by revered Sixties’ songwriters and musicians. His performances combine virtuosity, boyish charm, and showmanship with humour and bravado.

York Press:

Strings attached: Gretchen Peters plays with The Southern Fried String Quartet

Further afield concert of the weekend

Gretchen Peters and The Southern Fried String Quartet, Whitby Pavilion, Sunday

NEW York country singer Gretchen Peters plays Whitby this weekend on her one-off Strings Attached orchestral tour. Reprising her format at this year's Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow, Peters will be joined by her regular band, led by long-time musical partner and pianist, Barry Walsh, plus The Southern Fried String Quartet.

After receiving two American Music Association Awards for 2015’s Blackbirds, including Best International Album, last year Peters released Dancing With The Beast with its blend of country rock, indie folk and Southern gothic and lyrics depicting female characters, from pre-teen to elderly, whose stories illuminate the personal and political.

Peters' orchestral tour features songs from Blackbirds and Dancing With The Beast performed with strings, plus a selection of greatest hits from her 12 albums.