FAMILIES are being invited to enjoy a variety of live shows as rural touring theatre comes to Cheshire this autumn.

Cheshire Rural Touring Arts, a partnership between Cheshire West and Chester and Cheshire East councils, will be appearing at venues across the county from September 28, right through until Christmas.

Whether music, comedy, or drama takes your fancy, the autumn programme has something for everyone - including shows for youngsters.

Cllr Louise Gittins, leader of CWAC, said: “Once again Cheshire Rural Touring Arts have a full programme with something for everyone.

 "Last season many shows sold out, so make sure to book your tickets before they’re gone.”

What’s on, where, and when

Northwich Guardian:

‘Hero and Leander’ Jack Dean and Company
Thursday, September 28 - 7.30pm Kingsway Creative Campus, University of Chester
Saturday, September 30 - 7.30pm The Electric Picture House, Congleton

Sing, dance and shed a tear at this season’s first performance, a bittersweet gig theatre show called ‘Hero and Leander’ by Jack Dean and Company. Six multi-instrumentalists will tell an epic seaside tale through a variety of songs encompassing folk, indie, sea shanties and choral music. A story of bad rulers, worse weather, and how we keep going when everything is flipping terrible. “It is huge fun, accessible, varied, energetic and touching, telling an oft-told, ancient story with passion and honesty” (Fine Times Recorder).

Northwich Guardian:

‘Tiger Lady’ by Dead Rabbits Theatre

Saturday, October 7 - 8pm Plumley Village Hall
Sunday, October 8 7.30pm Neston Town Hall

If you fancy a bit of award-winning, fast-paced physical theatre performance (winners of Best Immersive Show at Edinburgh Fringe), come to a tale of love, excitement, danger, and very sharp claws. ‘Tiger Lady’ by Dead Rabbits Theatre unveils the true story of a fearless and forgotten woman, Mabel Stark, the queen of the circus and the first ever female tiger tamer.

Northwich Guardian:

‘Your Bard’ by Nic Collet
Saturday, October 21 - 7.30pm Audlem Scout and Guide Hall

Defending his authorship in Nic Collet’s ‘Your Bard’, 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 glory days at the Globe. You might well meet Christopher Marlow, Ned Alleyn and Queen Elizabeth I too.

‘Make Some Noise’ by Dommy B
Tuesday, October 24 - 2pm Theatre Porto, Ellesmere Port

Children and families will enjoy ‘Make Some Noise’ by Dommy B, a 2020 Saboteur award winning spoken word artist. Dommy shares a surprising story about imaginary friends, school bands and growing up. With rhymes, jokes, and lots of opportunity to make some noise, this show celebrates the power of sound and friendship.

‘Dragon’ by Life and Limb Puppets
Friday, November 10 - 2pm The Fallibroome Academy
Saturday, November 11 - 6pm Tarvin Community Centre

Life and Limb Puppets also bring a dark, mystical story from a land of mountains and dragons. ‘Dragon’ is a visually stunning, fantasy-genre non-verbal puppet show for children aged seven plus and their families.

Daniel Smith Blues Band
Friday, October 13 - 7.30pm Kettleshulme Village Hall
Saturday, October 14 - 7.30pm Tarvin Community Centre
Sunday, October 15 - 7pm 1st Weaverham Sea Scout Hall

For lovers of live music, this Autumn, Daniel Smith, identified as “a serious challenger to Jools Holland as the UK’s no.1 boogie pianist” (Blues In Britain). Daniel and accompanist Andy Jones, bring an authentic old-time feel-good mix of blues, boogie woogie and soul-jazz to your locale.

Sarah McQuaid
Thursday, November 9 - 7.30pm Great Budworth Parish Hall
Sunday, November 12 - 7.30pm Gawsworth Village Hall
Wednesday, November 15 - 7.30pm The Five Villages Hall, Mollington                                     

Sarah McQuaid’s lush, chocolatey voice, engaging personality, “subtle mastery onstage” (Huffington Post) and “brilliant musicianship” (fRoots) on acoustic and electric guitars, piano and (occasionally) drum will have you in awe. Born in Spain, raised in Chicago, holding dual Irish and American citizenship, and now settled in rural England, Sarah brings the eclecticism of her background to her “captivating, unorthodox songwriting” (PopMatters) and choice of material, spanning genres and defying categorisation.

Northwich Guardian:

‘Swing Song Merrily On High’ with Opera Dudes
Friday, December 8 - 7.30pm Little Budworth, Jubilee Hall
Saturday, December 9 - 7.30pm Upton Community Centre
Sunday, December 10 - 7.00pm Vicars Cross Community Centre
Friday, December 15 - 7.30pm Goostrey Village Hall
Saturday, December 16 - 8pm Farndon Community Club

Opera Dudes ‘Swing Song Merrily On High’ will get you in the festive mood - think Il Divo meets Morecambe and Wise in this jolly fun-packed frolic. This show is full of seasonal cheer with something for everyone – wonderful singing, audience participation and ridiculous sketches. Yule be laughing till your sides hurt, enchanted by the wonderful music and not a turkey in sight.