Cheshire Rural Touring Arts Spring programme
Cheshire Rural Touring Arts is back this Spring with a variety of high-quality professional shows for everyone. From Indian mythology to Greek mythology, folk inspired classical music, witches and puppets the programme has something for all ages and interests.
Councillor Lisa Denson, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cabinet Member for a fairer future said:
If you fancy an entertaining, social, affordable night (or afternoon) out that’s on your doorstep, come along, to one of these great shows. I would like to pass on my thanks to all the volunteer community promoters who select and host these shows and provide a warm welcome to audiences across Cheshire in village halls, community centres, libraries and other community venues.
Cheshire Rural Touring Arts is a partnership between Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council, supported by Arts Council England.
The Spring 2025 shows include:
Multi Story Theatre: Last Dance Saloon
Last Dance Saloon by Multi Story Theatre Company
Macclesfield Library, SK10 1EE (Friday 28 March 7.00pm) 01625 374000
Tarvin Community Centre, CH3 8LY (Saturday 29 March 8pm) 01829 741468
The Five Villages Hall, CH1 6NT (Sunday 30 March 7.30pm) 07743 490726
Multi Story Theatre Company introduce two individuals with tangled pasts. They meet at a dance retreat in Buenos Aires, igniting a spark of passion. Despite family ties in Chile and Devon, they navigate the challenges of a long-distance relationship, sustained by tango sessions in Argentina that include unexpected flights of imagination. Filled with music, dance and drama, it promises a deeply moving experience.
Suitable for 14+.
Up and Away by Tmesis Theatre
Theatre Porto, CH65 6QY (Saturday 5 April 2pm) 0151 357 2120
Hoole Community Centre, CH2 3AP (Saturday 6 April 1pm) 01244 342741
‘Up and Away’, is an interactive family friendly show combining words, puppetry, and physical theatre, in a celebration of hope and dreaming the impossible. Join Tmesis Theatre on an exciting journey into the discovery of flight, traveling all the way back to 1827, as the crowds gather to witness the daring hot air balloon mission of the mysterious Brown Brothers.
‘An absolutely enchanting piece of theatre… a real beauty’ ★★★★. 5 Arts City Liverpool- Catherine Jones
Suitable for under 11 and their families.
Speedwell Dance: The Mountain Witch
The Mountain Witch by Speedwell Dance
Macclesfield Library, SK10 1EE (Saturday 12 April 11am) 01625 374000
The Mountain Witch is an adventurous tale of an ancient and powerful witch and seasons gone awry. Children are invited into the set to awaken scampering creatures, to tiptoe past the Mountain Witch’s cave, and finally convince her to let the sun return. A joyous and inclusive experience, with plenty of songs and original live music.
Suitable for age 3-8 and their families.
Robin Ince: The Universe and the Neurodiverse
The Universe and the Neurodiverse by Robin Ince
Siddington Village Hall, GL7 6HD (Wednesday 23 April 7.30pm) 07791 359493
Hope Farm Library, CH66 2LE (Thursday 24 April 7.30pm) 0151 337 6484
Plumley Village Hall, WA16 0TR (Friday 25 April 7.30pm) 01565 722 259
Great Budworth Parish Hall, CW9 6HL (Saturday 26 April 7.30pm) 07886 878047
Tarvin Community Centre, CH3 8LY (Sunday 27 April 7.30pm) 01829 741 468
Vicars Cross Community Centre, CH3 5LP (Saturday 31 May 7.30pm) 07861 041795
Award-winning comedian, broadcaster, and author Robin Ince has spent over 30 years entertaining audiences on stage and radio, including the acclaimed The Infinite Monkey Cage on BBC Radio 4. But behind the laughter, Robin wrestled with self-doubt, anxiety, and the challenges of ADHD, challenges that he has transformed into creative fuel for his new show.
The Universe and The Neurodiverse, is an evening of heartfelt stories, poetry, and humour, where Robin explores mental health, creativity, and what it means to embrace our uniqueness.
Robin will also be performing some free daytime shows in the libraries of Cheshire during his time here, please visit the CRTA website and social media for more information on these.
Suitability: 14+
Fault Lines by Lila Dance
The Fallibroome Academy, SK10 4AF (Wednesday 30 April 7.00pm) eva@fallibroome.org.uk
Vicars Cross Community Centre, CH3 5LP (Saturday 3 May) 07861 041795
Fault Lines by Lila Dance asks us to take a stand, together with hope, to care for our environment. Through dance, striking digital illustrations and evocative music, the survivors emerge from scorched earth, rubble and ruin to a new world. Fault Lines pulls at the tension in our relationship with nature and how out of sync we have become.
Suitability: 12+
KALI by Emily Hennessey & Sheema Mukherjee
Audlem Scout and Guide Hall, CW3 0AL (Saturday 10 May 7.30pm) 07985 982786
Goostrey Village Hall, CW4 8PE (Saturday 11May 7.30pm) 07940 579723
Join storyteller, Emily Hennessey and sitar player extraordinaire, Sheema Mukherjee, for KALI, the story of the world’s wildest goddess. Inspired by Hindu mythology, KALI is introduced as a demon-slayer, life-saver, supreme-mother, destruction-dancer goddess, who acts to save the world from evil destructive powers.
This show is a white-knuckled tuc-tuc ride through sun-kissed palaces, fiend-infested forests and every cacophonous saffron-scented marketplace in-between. ‘Extraordinary tales for a transfixed audience’ 5* British Theatre Guide.
Suitability: 14+
Routes to Classics by Gus Glynn
Kettleshulme Village Hall, SK23 7QU (Saturday 5 April 7.30pm) 07775 330805 / 07909513251
United Reformed Church Neston, CH64 6UZ (Friday 9 May 7.30pm) 07740 463 203 / 0151 336 7729
Gawsworth Village Hall, SK11 9QY (Saturday 10 May 7.30pm) 07870 822 837
Little Sutton Library, CH66 1QQ (Thursday 12 June 7.30pm) 0151 337 6800
Cheshire artist Gus Glynn will perform his show Routes to Classics, this show is a music lover's must.
Classically trained fingerstyle guitarist, Gus, traces the development of the music we love today from its roots in traditional folk and blues, right through to contemporary classics and all-time favourites. Journey through Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Carole King, Mark Knopfler, Lou Reed, John Lennon and Turlough O'Carolan. Visit modern favourites from artists such as Amy Winehouse and Arctic Monkeys all with a selection of pit stops along the way as Gus showcases his own songs.
Suitability: 12+
HELIOS by Wright&Grainger
Hoole Community Centre, CH2 3AP (Friday 30 May 7.30pm) 01244 342741
1st Weaverham Sea Scout Hall, CW8 3NJ (Saturday 31 May 7.30pm) 07941 166 632
If you fancy a masterpiece of theatrical storytelling, see Wright&Grainger perform their show HELIOS.
A story about the son of the god of the sun, HELIOS transplants the Ancient Greek tale into a modern-day myth wound round the winding roads of rural England. It’s a story about life, the invisible monuments we build to it, and the little things that leave big marks.
‘Very clever…ancient and the contemporary, lightness and darkness mingle.’ - LYN GARDNER.
Suitability: 14+
Claremont Ensemble
United Reformed Church, Neston, CH64 9TR (Friday 16 May 7pm) 07740 463 203 / 0151 336 7729
Kelsall Community Centre (Saturday 14 June 7.30pm) 07951 794442
Claremont Ensemble bring you haunting melodies of timeless travel, with folk inspired classical music from the shores of Scandinavia to Scotland played on piano and strings.
With the audience always at the heart of their concerts and a deep felt wish to reduce the distance between performers and audiences; the musician duo invites you to get to know them personally, to have a conversation, to use your imagination and listen in your own way.
The two visiting musicians of the Claremont ensemble perform with a variety of orchestras and groups in the region, including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
“A magical evening, excellent choice of music. I wanted to sing and dance!”
Suitability: 8+
Performance details and online booking is available on the CRTA website