Rural touring theatre returns with a varied menu of live performances across Cheshire

Cheshire Rural Touring Arts, a partnership between Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire East Council, will be sharing a slice of their artistic programme for the spring season, at various venues across Cheshire.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “Reserve your seats now for some great shows. This spring season includes music from the 1920s and 30’s a story about fierce Lancashire Women and some tall tales especially for children.

“The Rural Touring Theatre will be appearing at venues across our area including Great Budworth, Tarvin, Kelsall, Weaverham, Neston, Backford, Ellesmere Port and Farndon. Have a look at the website for more details about the many different shows and venues.”

Performance details and online booking is available on the CRTA website: 

www.cheshireruraltouringarts.co.uk

About Time:

Multi-talented Mitch Benn, a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4’s The Now Show for more than a decade and described by The Times as “the country’s leading musical satirist”. ‘About Time’ combines music and comedy and is his first touring show in years.

'Routes to Classics', ‘Splendidly Spiffing Musical Fun & Frolics from the 1920’s and 30’s’, ‘A Night of Swing Jive Music with the 309s’

There are three music shows, starting with the welcome return of classically trained fingerstyle guitarist, Gus Glyn; his show 'Routes to Classics' traces the music we love today from its roots in traditional folk and blues, through to contemporary classics and all-time favourites.

Followed by The Casablanca Steps: ‘Splendidly Spiffing Musical Fun & Frolics from the 1920’s and 30’s’; these four exceptionally talented musicians and entertainers will bring a Great Gatsby band experience.

Rounding up this musical menu is ‘A Night of Swing Jive Music with the 309s’ a fantastic high energy swing jive band featuring twin vocals, swinging rhythms and soaring fiddle - guaranteed to get your toes tapping and your eyes smiling.

‘Miss Nobodies’, ‘Gertrude Lawrence: A lovely Way to Spend an Evening’:

Ruth Cockburn brings her two-hander ‘Miss Nobodies’ a funny, poignant, heart-warming show about fierce Lancashire women and the mark they’ve left on this country’s history, including Ethel Carnie Holdsworth, a writer who is cited as the UK’s first working class female novelist.

The latest collaboration between gifted actor and singer, Lucy Stevens and pianist Elizabeth Marcus brings ‘Gertrude Lawrence: A lovely Way to Spend an Evening’; telling the story of the woman Noel Coward wrote Private Lives for, who became the leading lady of the West End and on Broadway; this play is funny, revealing, and full of music.

‘Moonsmile’ and ‘The Extraordinary Time -Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen’:

There are new shows for children and families; Goofus Theatre present ‘Moonsmile’ (ages 4+) the story of a lonely museum Caretaker, who loses something dear to him and finds himself on the moon where the Moonlings, with a ritual of trust and friendship, help him restore what was lost; blending music, movement, puppetry, play, and mask this nonverbal performance immerses audiences in storytelling, where imaginations thrive.

‘The Extraordinary Time -Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen’ (ages 6+) is Jackanory meets Whose Line Is It Anyway, creating amazing tales elegantly told.  Three top comedians are challenged to invent ridiculous tall tales using their wits, some silly hats and the (not always kind) suggestions of an audience of children to ensure it all ends happily ever after. Featuring pirates, princesses, unicorns, dragons, swordfights, and spacemen. All the stories are completely and irrefutably true, winner: Best Children’s Show at Leicester Comedy Festival and Greater Manchester Fringe.

View the new season brochure: 

https://www.cheshireruraltouringarts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/CRTA-Spring23_web-FINAL.pdf

Cheshire Rural Touring Arts (CRTA) is funded by Arts Council England and Cheshire East and West councils to work with an army of voluntary promoters who promote live high quality professional performance events in small intimate community spaces across Cheshire. This pilot programme has been funded through a grant from the NRTF.

This experience not only gives access to high quality performances on rural doorsteps but is a way of animating community buildings or spaces and bringing communities together safely, both physically and digitally. 

www.cheshireruraltouringarts.co.uk

National Rural Touring Forum (NRTF) networks, develops and supports the ecosystem that delivers high-quality creative experiences across communities and rural areas in the UK. The aim of the NRTF is to strengthen and support rural populations to bring professional work to their venues. 

https://www.ruraltouring.org/

Pictured - The Extraordinary Time -Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen.