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Selby Town Hall

A Tale Of Two Selbys

Selby is forging new relationships with a brand new transatlantic partner…Selby…Ontario!

Selby Town Council has formally approved a twinning agreement with the council of Greater Napanee in Ontario, forever linking our town with its Canadian namesake – the small settlement of Selby, located in a farming heartland 140 miles northeast of Toronto.

This nascent 3,300 mile friendship is the result of a new podcast project created by Canadian comic and America’s Got Talent contestant John Hastings, and Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and Pittancer of Selby Tim FitzHigham, with support from the Town Hall team at Selby Town Council.

In ‘A Tale of Two Selbys’, Tim and John set out to investigate the story behind Selby, Ontario. How did Canada get a Selby? What does this tell us about cultural identity? Are there any historic links between the two? And more importantly, why are they not connected now, and can this be remedied? Meeting residents, schools, clergy, community representatives and more, Tim and John aim to open up a new conversation between the two towns, to broaden horizons and awaken a cultural curiosity.

“I am so excited by the way ‘A Tale of Two Selbys’ is progressing” said co-creator Tim FitzHigham. “It’s amazing that two places with a shared history and people now have a shared present and a future. I’m incredibly grateful to all of those who have been involved so far, in both Selbys. John and I have had so much fun…and it’s not over yet!”

A Tale Of Two Selby

The first nine ‘dispatches’ are available now on Apple Podcasts and other popular podcast apps, with further episodes planned as the links between both Selbys develop.

Having helped forge friendships through digital interaction, Tim and John are now working to develop a live show, based on the podcast series, to take place simultaneously on both sides of the Atlantic later in the year. In a plan which the pair admit is ‘ambitious, possibly unhinged’, John hopes to perform in Selby, Ontario and Tim in Selby, North Yorkshire, with the two venues connected by a live video link allowing the performers and town residents to interact.

‘A Tale of Two Selbys’ is part of New Conversations, a programme funded and delivered by the British Council, Canada Council for the Arts, Farnham Maltings and the High Commission of Canada in the UK, and Selby Stories, the cultural programme for the Selby High Street Heritage Action Zone. Running until late 2023, special events will celebrate the town, its history and what makes it unique.

The HSHAZ is part of a government-funded initiative led by Historic England. It aims to breathe new life into local high streets, from regenerating historic buildings to engaging local communities through art and cultural projects. Selby is one of more than 60 high streets in the country to receive a share of funding from Historic England, along with funding from Selby District Council.

Selby Meets Selby

The podcasts are also now available in glorious technicolour on Youtube. The first ‘dispatches’ can be accessed HERE or watched below…

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What's on

24 Apr Comedy

Geoff Norcott: Work In Progress

Doors 7:30 pm Show starts: 8:00 pm

Star of Have I Got News for You, Would I lie To You?, Mock the Week, Live at The Apollo et al tries out new material on a limited run of dates.

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25 Apr Music

The Hot Seats

Doors 7:00 pm Show starts: 7:30 pm

Five piece band from Richmond, Virginia playing old time, bluegrass, ragtime, jug band, country and general freakout music.

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27 Apr Comedy

Comedy Network: Lauren Pattison, Siân Davies & Harry Stachini

Doors 7:00 pm Show starts: 7:30 pm

One of the top comedy club night brands in the country, featuring headliner, opening act and MC for just £10!

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2 May Comedy

Ed Patrick: Catch Your Breath

Doors 7:00 pm Show starts: 7:30 pm

NHS anaesthetist and comedian with a show about the NHS, becoming a junior doctor and the pitfalls of modern medicine.

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3 May Theatre

James Rowland: Piece Of Work

Doors 7:00 pm Show starts: 7:30 pm

Critically acclaimed storyteller James Rowland returns with a brand new show about fathers, sons and the hope that makes life liveable.

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7 May Music

Cara Dillon

Doors 7:00 pm Show starts: 7:30 pm

Multi award-winning Irish folk singer Cara Dillon plays an intimate acoustic show with acclaimed musician and producer Sam Lakeman.

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16 May Theatre

Sherlock Holmes – The Last Act

Doors 7:00 pm Show starts: 7:30 pm

Drawn from two years of retirement for the funeral of Dr Watson, Holmes returns to Baker Street to resolve ‘the last act’ of his epic career.

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20 May Music

Kristy Cox & Grasstime

Doors 7:00 pm Show starts: 7:30 pm

Billboard-topping Nashville-based bluegrass songstress and Australia’s biggest bluegrass and country music export.

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21 May Comedy

Scott Bennett: Blood Sugar Baby

Doors 7:00 pm Show starts: 7:30 pm

Very personal, true story show from star of Live At The Apollo, The News Quiz and The Royal Variety Performance.

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25 May Comedy

Comedy Network: Kate Martin + TBC

Doors 7:00 pm Show starts: 7:30 pm

One of the top comedy club night brands in the country, featuring headliner, opening act and MC for just £10!

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8 Jun Theatre

Biting Point (IN SOUTH PARADE CAR PARK)

Doors 6:15 pm Show starts: 7:00 pm

A play about road rage, performed in a car park. It mixes live theatre with original music and sound design, experienced through headphones.

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12 Jun Event Cinema

National Theatre Live: A Streetcar Named Desire

Doors 6:30 pm Show starts: 7:00 pm

Gillian Anderson, Vanessa Kirby and Ben Foster lead the cast in Tennessee Williams’ timeless masterpiece, returning to cinemas.

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