Rural touring theatre coming to Cheshire for Spring season

Cheshire Rural Touring Arts, a partnership between Cheshire West and Chester and Cheshire East councils, will be appearing at venues across the county from April 20.

Whether it's music, comedy or drama that takes your fancy, the spring programme has something for everyone - including shows for youngsters.

Cllr Louise Gittins, leader of CWAC, said: “Reserve your seats now for some great shows.

"This spring season includes music from the 1920s and 30s, 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."

What's on and when is it

‘About Time’

Mitch Benn (Image: Cheshire Rural Touring Arts (CRTA))

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.

Mitch will be appearing in Great Budworth, Plumley, Tarvin and Gawsworth.

'Routes to Classics'

Gus Glynn (Image: Cheshire Rural Touring Arts (CRTA))

Classically trained fingerstyle guitarist, Gus Glynn makes a welcome return with his show 'Routes to Classics', which traces the music we love today from its roots in traditional folk and blues, through to contemporary classics and all-time favourites.

Gus will be appearing in Weaverham and Kelsall.

The Casablanca Steps: ‘Splendidly Spiffing Musical Fun & Frolics from the 1920s and 30s’

These four exceptionally talented musicians and entertainers will bring a Great Gatsby band experience.

The Casablanca steps will appear at Neston and Kingsley.

‘A Night of Swing Jive Music with the 309s’

ounding up the 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.

The 309s will be appearing at Backford.

‘Miss Nobodies'

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.

Ruth will be appearing in Macclesfield and Audlem.

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

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.

The show will be on in Neston and Goostrey.

‘Moonsmile’

Moonsmile (Image: Cheshire Rural Touring Arts (CRTA))

There are new shows for children and families; Goofus Theatre present ‘Moonsmile’ (ages four and above), 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.

Moonsmile will appear at Macclesfield and Whitby.

‘The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen’

The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen (Image: Cheshire Rural Touring Arts (CRTA))

‘The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen’ (ages six and above) 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.

‘The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen’ will appear at Tarvin, Congleton and Farndon.

Performance details and online booking is available on the CRTA website www.cheshireruraltouringarts.co.uk