Arts Diary: Will Marriott

Ben Miles, best known as the womaniser Patrick Maitland in BBC comedy Coupling, was at Sheffield Studio this week for the opening of Richard Wilson’s The Pride. Arts Diary wonders if we might be seeing him on stage in Sheffield some time soon?

Okay, one last bit of gossip. Richard Wilson, aka Victor Meldrew (see tomorrow’s Yorkshire Post magazine for a full interview) revealed to us that he is going to be teaming up with Hull writer Richard Bean in the near future. We get the feeling he was perhaps saying something he shouldn’t – and we don’t want to stitch anybody up, so we’ll just say that, hopefully, within the year we will see a production on one of Yorkshire’s best stages, written by Richard Bean and directed by Mr Wilson. Exciting prospect – watch this space.

Bob Geldof is coming to Bradford. No jokes at the back about him helping out poor countries, thank you – we happen to be proud Bradfordians here at Arts Diary.

The ex-Boomtown Rats singer will be playing some of his most popular hits when he comes to the city’s St George’s Hall in November, as well as songs from his new studio album How to Compose Popular Songs that Will Sell. Bob is playing the venue on November 17 in his first concert for three years. Tickets available now on 01274 432000.

We’re impressed with Yorkshirewoman Julie Trigg who is mounting a campaign to single- handedly introduce drive-in movies to Yorkshire. She is the woman behind the screening of Dirty Dancing at York Racecourse last weekend and has also organised Mamma Mia! at Temple Newsam, being screened tomorrow night. Booking is strongly recommended on www.drivein-movies.co.uk

Big congrats to Peter and Anne Tillotson, owners of indie bookshop The Book Case in Hebden Bridge, who have announced they are to retire this September. Supporting local authors – and there are plenty of them in Hebden Bridge, the northern outpost of Brighton (some sarcastically suggest) – has been a key feature of the lovely bookshop. Indeed, there is a poetry reading by Ruth Padel and Ann Sansom at Hebden’s ArtsMill on Sunday, July 10, which the bookshop is helping to support.

Surprise of the week comes from Britney Spears, the pop star who has experienced her fair share of... difficulties.

Spears who, according to her PR people in the note they sent to us, is a “pop music trendsetter” is coming to Sheffield. She’ll be appearing at the Motorpoint Arena on Bonfire Night, November 5, and tickets go on sale at 9am today. Chances are, if you picked up your YP late today, you’ve missed them. Otherwise try calling 0114 256 5656.

Also, we did ask, and she’s not doing interviews. Which, to be fair, is probably sensible.