ESK Valley Theatre has been awarded a £11,500 grant from Arts Council England to help support the summer season.

August will see the company produce All Things Considered, a comedy by Ben Brown.

It has a cast of six, A budget of £52,000 and will be the largest show the theatre has produced. The grant is great news for the not for profit company, but even if it gets full houses for every performance, there will still be a shortfall of its target of £52,000 to break even.

The theatre has support from local sponsors and fundraising events and feels everything is heading in the right direction. Over the years, it has won support from generous people who recognise the important part theatre plays in a community.

One is Chris Harris, who lives in Halifax, the driving force behind the seven-piece swing band Jump, Jive ‘n’ Wail, which performs at Danby Village Hall on Saturday, June 13, at 8pm, to help raise funds for the theatre.

It will be the third time the band has visited Danby. Specialising in music of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, it plays different styles suitable for all tastes.

There will also be an opportunity to learn a short easy dance routine at the start of the evening. Period dress is optional.

Tickets cost £12.50, which includes a ration bag supper. Tickets are available from Danby, Lealholm and Glaisdale village shops or can call the box office on 01947 897587.