A new season of arts events has been launched, taking professional theatre, dance, music and family shows to rural venues and libraries across Cheshire.
Cheshire Rural Touring Arts (CRTA) has announced a programme of more than 35 events running from the end of September right through until mid-December.
The season opens on Thursday, September 29 with Kali Theatre’s My Big Fat Cowpat Wedding at The Barbour Institute in Tattenhall. The play offers a light-hearted view of relationships across the divides of rural and urban, race and gender.
There is plenty more on offer for theatre fans throughout the season, including Monstro Theatre’s family show Book Story in Alsager and Upton Libraries in October.
The show is part of CRTA’s new See It Live In Libraries project, which runs alongside their regular rural touring programme.
The Pretend Men take their hilarious spoof Police Cops to three venues during the season and there’s a playful new show from Bucket Club and Farnham Maltings in the shape of Launch Party that visits Macclesfield for one night only on October 27.
Mrs. Roosevelt Flies To London is a fascinating new play based on the life of Eleanor Roosevelt, first lady to the former US President, that will be performed in Neston, Tarvin and Goostrey.
Back to Blackbrick, a beautiful play introducing the concept of memory loss to children, will visit Whitby Hall Studio in Ellesmere Port and Lache Library, and there’s family puppetry with The Tinderbox also in Ellesmere Port.
Rounding off the theatre offering in November is She Wins All The Races, a brilliant tragicomedy from Mad Alice Theatre in association with Queen’s Hall Arts and Action Transport Theatre.
Away from theatre there are four groundbreaking dance performances in three venues from the Balbir Singh Dance Company.
First up is Love and Spice in Neston Town Hall on October 8, a mouthwatering experience integrating dance, music, storytelling and cooking.
The Barbour Institute in Tattenhall will then host Painting The Indian Gods, a stunning visual and aural performance where Indian Gods are magically brought to life by a storyteller and an artist painting live on stage.
Finally, The Lion Salt Works in Northwich will host a double-bill of dance from Balbir Singh, including Champion of the Flatlands, a performance that combines BMX cycling and dance, and Decreasing Infinity, a male duet of dance accompanied by live music.
In addition to the performances, Balbir Singh Dance Company will be involved in a flashmob event as well as workshops, with details on the CRTA website.
There is a little bit of dance for youngsters too, with Sponge from Turned On Its Head, a show suitable for ages four months to four years old at St Mary’s Creative Space in Chester.
For those looking for something a little different, Vincent Gambini brings his mesmerising This Is Not A Magic Show to Winsford and Great Budworth, ready to baffle audiences with his incredible sleight of hand skills, combining magic with elements of theatre, performance art and spoken word.
There’s fun for fans of The Archers, with the legendary Sunny Ormonde, who has played Lilian Bellamy in the radio show for the past 16 years, entertaining audiences with tales of her distinguished acting career in Kelsall, Wilmslow, Norley and Faddiley during the season.
Music enthusiasts will enjoy Red Moon Road who travel to Cheshire all the way from Winnipeg in Canada. The folk trio will perform in Kettleshulme and Gawsworth village halls on October 22-23
Award-winning classical crossover ensemble Fordante take their show, featuring some of the greatest film soundtracks alongside original work, to Bickerton and Neston in November, while Budapest Cafe Orchestra play six dates, including the final show of the season in Norley Village Hall on December 11.
All shows have been programmed by Cheshire Rural Touring Arts as part of their autumn 2016 season, taking professional arts events to isolated rural venues and libraries across the county.
Speaking ahead of the season, CRTA’s Anne Crabtree said: “We’re really excited to be able to announce this diverse programme of events that we feel offers something for everyone. There is stunning new dance work blending various artforms, wonderful theatre tackling fascinating topics and a real mix of musical genres on offer too. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic season and we can’t wait for the first show to arrive!”
For more details about any of the shows or to see the full Cheshire Rural Touring Arts autumn programme visit www.cheshireruraltouringarts.co.uk or call 01244 972835 for further information.
