Comedy, Canadians, bingo and bluegrass come to County Durham

Highlights Rural Touring Scheme is back with top quality arts performances in village halls and community venues across County Durham this Spring, with tickets going on sale on Monday 26 January.

After its success last season, Highlights, which is a charity funded by Arts Council England, is repeating its Early Bird discount on all standard tickets booked from Monday 26 January to Monday 9 February, offering the standard £15 ticket at just £12 for that fortnight.

“The Early Bird tickets went down a storm last season, so we’re giving our audiences the chance to book them again this January,“ says Highlights’ artistic director Kate Lynch.

“The season opens at the beginning of March and runs until late May. County Durham venues are welcoming some fantastic national and international artists to the area this Spring, and we know audiences are in for a treat.”

Highlights work with an army of volunteer promoters in over 85 rural communities across the North of England to bring high quality arts events to small rural venues. This season sees ten performances in nine village halls and community spaces across County Durham.

The performances start at St Thomas Church Hall, Stanhope with writer and comedian Sam Freeman’s heartwarming and heartfelt performance of We’re Not Getting a Dog* (*A show mostly not about dogs).

“We have two, very different, shows celebrating women through music and storytelling,” says Kate.
 

Wonder Women! performed by Canadian pianist and comedian Sarah Hagen comes to Mickleton Village Hall. Part recital, part storytelling, Wonder Women! celebrates the remarkable lives and piano music of forgotten female composers of the 18th and 19th centuries. And stellar singer and storyteller Louise Jordan uncovers the lives of extraordinary women at St Thomas Church Hall, Stanhope and Barningham Village Hall, in her new production Behind Enemy Lines.

Hailing from our side of the Atlantic, Old Baby Mackerel, one of the hottest bands on the festival scene, brings Appalachian virtuosity to Scarth Hall, Staindrop in March with a lively evening of high-energy, foot-stomping Bluegrass. 

Multi-award-winning, BBC Radio 4 favourite and County Durham-born comedian and musician David Eagle brings his unique brand of comedy to UTASS, Middleton & Teesdale and Bowes & Gilmonby Village Hall with his show: Flying Solo.

Hamsterley Village Hall turns into a bingo hall for Just Some Theatre’s new murderous production – Eyes Down. An immersive comedy thriller, it’s a hilarious evening of dabbers … and death!

In May two fantastic Canadian bands arrive in County Durham. Diyet & the Love Soldiers bring a powerful blend of roots, folk, and alternative country music all the way from the Yukon to Frosterley Village Hall. A Newfoundland-based duo Rube & Rake end Highlights’ Spring season in Cumbria, with their signature blend of intricate folk arrangements and evocative storytelling, at Cotherstone Village Hall.

“We’re delighted to offer such a diverse range of performances in local village halls and community venues,” says Kate. “It’s a bit of a cliché to say that there’s something for everyone but I really think we may have achieved it again!”
 

For booking information and details about the full Highlights Rural Touring Scheme Spring Season visit www.highlightsnorth.co.uk