A FORTHCOMING stage musical will celebrate the life and work of entertainer Jake Thackray, who once had a base in Swaledale.

T and R Theakston, the Masham-based brewery, is sponsoring the new show highlighting the achievements of the Leeds-born performer who died two years ago after a career which took in folk clubs, recordings and the Esther Rantzen television programme That's Life.

Sister Josephine Kicks the Habit, which has its world premiere at Helmsley Arts Centre on May 24, will bring to life many of the eccentric characters created by Mr Thackray during a 30-year career in which he was once dubbed the Noel Coward of Yorkshire.

Theakston director Simon Theakston said the decision to sponsor the production was both in recognition of Mr Thackray's major contribution to modern culture and music and a commemoration of his close connections with the area of North Yorkshire near the family-owned brewery.

"As a company we have always had a strong connection with live music and, given that Jake spent so much of his life in our part of the world writing songs about Dales people, towns and villages, it seemed a natural fit.

"He was a hugely talented craftsman and artist and we are very proud to be associated with this celebration of his life and work."

At the time of his death on Christmas Eve 2002, Mr Thackray was working on a musical incorporating his characters and songs. The work has been completed by Yorkshire poet and writer Ian McMillan, who has set it in a North Yorkshire village and has written the narrative in rhyme.

Executive producer Ian Watson, of Scarborough, said: "Jake was universally regarded as the foremost UK singer-songwriter of the late twentieth century.

"In 80 or so songs he created a community of eccentrics, both comic and tragic, and these will be brought to life by a cast of six actor/musicians in a celebration of Jake's work."

Following its Helmsley premiere the show will be presented at the Swaledale Festival from May 30 to June 2 before going on a national tour.