Cheshire Rural Touring Arts line-up for 2024 Spring season

Cheshire Rural Touring Arts, a partnership between Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) and Cheshire East Council, has now launched its new Spring 2024 artistic programme.

The season will see performances taking place at lots of venue across Cheshire, including Weaverham, Kelsall, Goostrey, and Little Budworth.

From Shakespeare to Dickens, from Africa to Cornwall, and from climate change to dance, there are performances for all ages.

CWAC cabinet member for a fairer future, Cllr Lisa Denson, says many of last season’s shows sold out, adding: “Make sure you book your tickets before they’re gone.”

What’s on, when, and where?

Havisham by Helen Alexander

'Powerful, tense, and heart-breaking, Havisham offers a fresh perspective on Charles Dickens’ greatest gothic characterisation, Miss Havisham from Great Expectations' (Image: Cheshire Rural Touring Arts)

Saturday, May 4, at 7.30pm - Kelsall Community Centre, CW6 0SB

A young woman arrives in London, it’s 1825. She is full of hope and ready to embrace a fresh start. However, she soon finds herself as ‘the leading lady in a drama she can’t comprehend.’ The gaslighting is subtle, the manipulation slick.

Can Miss Havisham discern her fate? Or is she destined to relive the devastation of her trauma?

Powerful, tense, and heart-breaking, Havisham offers a fresh perspective on Charles Dickens’ greatest gothic characterisation, Miss Havisham from Great Expectations.

Suitable for adults and young people 11+.

Your Bard by Nicholas Collett

Saturday, May 18, at 7pm - 1st Weaverham Sea Scout Hall, CW8 3NJ

Defending his authorship, Will Shakespeare, kicks down the pub door to confront Professor Nother, an academic who doesn’t believe Shakespeare wrote his own works. In this tell all, Shakespeare speaks his soul sharing tales of his life, family, and the glory days at the Globe. You might well meet Christopher Marlow, Ned Alleyn and Queen Elizabeth I too.

Suitable for adults and young people 11+.

Right of Passage by Touki

'Powerful beats, driving grooves, and silky voices that leap from East to West Africa and across to America' (Image: Cheshire Rural Touring Arts)
Saturday, May 4, at 7.30pm - Plumley Village Hall, WA16 0TR
Saturday, June 15, at 7.30pm - Goostrey Village Hall, CW4 8EP

Touki (meaning ‘journey’ in the Wolof language) is a tour de force in multi-instrumental musical exultation. Musicians Amadou Diagne and Cory Seznec joyously switch between kora (West African harp), banjos, guitars, percussion, and other instruments, deploying powerful beats, driving grooves, and silky voices that leap from East to West Africa and across to America.

Their latest release draws together West African fables, personal stories and the social, economic, and political challenges facing both developing countries and western ones.

Suitable for all.

Rum Ragged

Saturday, June 1, at 7.30pm - Little Budworth Jubilee Hall, CW6 9BU

All the way from Canada, 2021 JUNO Award Nominees, Rum Ragged. This band share their bold, contemporary approach to the distinct folk music of their home, the Eastern Canadian Island of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Boasting bouzouki, fiddle, bodhran, banjo, guitar, and button accordion, these new champions of East Coast music enliven and enlighten audiences. Always honest, thought-provoking, and often humorous, it’s Rum Ragged’s live show which makes them a fast favourite.

Their combination of striking vocal harmonies, staggering musicianship, and captivating storytelling gives concertgoers an experience they won’t forget.
Suitable for all.

Performances elsewhere in Cheshire include:

Birdie by Mind The Gap 

A fun and poignant adventure that blends choreography and original music to tell a powerful and accessible story about climate change for families.

Producers say Birdie is 'a very beautiful and visual demonstration of what we can do to help the planet' (Image: Cheshire Rural Touring Arts)
Tuesday, June 18, at 1.30pm - Neston Library, CH64 6QE
Wednesday, June 19, at 1.30pm - St Mary’s Creative Space, CH1 2DW

Happy Place by Forget About the Dog

A dystopian journey where corporations have commodified happiness into virtual reality booths called Happy Places, costing just the price of a coffee for limitless experiences.

Sunday, June 9, at 7.30pm - Gawsworth Village Hall, SK11 9QY

Idlib by Storm in the North

The story of a displaced Syrian woman, told through the medium of…. bread?

Saturday, May 11, at 7.30pm - The Electric Picture House, CW12 1QN
Sunday, May 12, at 7.30pm - Vicars Cross Community Centre, CH3 5LP

Club Origami by Seven Circles

Dive into the magical world of Club Origami, an immersive and interactive dance show inviting family audiences to create, imagine and explore whole new ways of thinking, playing, and moving.

'An immersive and interactive dance show inviting family audiences to create, imagine and explore' (Image: Cheshire Rural Touring Arts)

Friday, April 12, at 3pm - Tarvin Community Centre, CH3 8LY
Saturday, April 13, at 11am and 2pm - Theatre Porto, CH65 6QY
Sunday, April 14, at 3.30pm - Vicars Cross Community Centre, CH3 5LP

Help! I think I’m a Nationalist by Seamas Carey

A controversial, sell-out comedy show on identity, second homes, xenophobia, and bagpipes. Cornwall is at tipping point.

'A controversial, sell-out comedy show on identity, second homes, xenophobia, and bagpipes' (Image: Cheshire Rural Touring Arts)

Friday, March 15, at 8pm - Hoole Community Centre, CH2 3AP
Sunday, March 16, at 7.30pm - Audlem Scout and Guide Hall, CW3 0AL