Highlights Rural Touring Scheme Forthcoming Productions

Highlights Rural Touring Scheme is a network of 50 village halls, schools and community centres who are committed to offering professional, entertaining and exciting events in their communities. Northumberland, including the districts of South Lakes, Eden, rural Carlisle, Teesdale, Wear Valley and Tynedale.

They are part of a national network of Rural Touring Schemes, under the umbrella of the National Rural Touring Forum. Together, they offer high quality entertainment for all ages and the opportunity of a great night out on your doorstep.

Whether it's music, dance or theatre, whatever your age there is something for you to enjoy at a Teesdale Village Hall near you!

FORTHCOMING PRODUCTIONS

THE SHAKESPEARE LADIES CLUB - ALISON NEIL

Amid the fascinating trivia of mid eighteenth century life, Mary Cowper De Grey recounts the true story of a group of Ladies of Quality who are determined to make Shakespeare fashionable. The success of the Shakespeare Ladies Club echoes down the centuries. Mary also has a very personal tale to recount - her involvement with a young and ambitious would be actor David Garrick. Mrs Cowper De Grey then introduces her surprise guest - and the Lords, Gentlemen and Ladies of the Audience are told a very different tale - of a London unseen by People of Quality.

"18th century London comes alive in the skilled hands of Alison Neil, unmissable entertainment" Dorset Echo

Whorlton Village Hall
Thursday 26th February  7.30pm
For tickets contact 01833 627419

The Witham Hall, Barnard Castle
Saturday 28th February 7.30pm
For tickets contact 01833 631107

THE DEVIL'S DOCTOR - SHIFTING SANDS THEATRE

Alchemist, Charlatan, Heretic, Explorer and Genius: Paracelsus claimed that alchemy held the key to life, the universe and the soul of humanity...welcome to the Devil's Doctor! The Devil's Doctor celebrates the riotous life of this mercurial Renaissance man, weaving his fractious, meandering and decidedly tipsy path through the social, intellectual and religious upheavals of his time. From the Arctic wastes to the steamy Nile, as an army surgeon, mystic, and religious heretic, Paracelsus cheats death, works miracle cures, quarrels with priests and kings, and attracts legends galore. He became one of the prototypes of Goethe's Faust and a hero to Mary Shelley's Victor Frankenstein.

Hamsterley Village Hall
Thursday 12th March 7.30pm
For tickets contact 01388 488323

NO HALL TOO SMALL - HANK WANGFORD AND REG MEUROSS

The two lonesome cowboys are back bringing "Country to the Country." Original songs deal with anything from religion, atomic power and class prejudice, to the inevitable Cheatin' Drinkin' and Divorce with such near classics as 'He forgot to tell you he was a married man' and ' It's me of Elvis.' There is plenty of humour with Hank's 'You don't have to make it up' look at life, and his firm belief that it is possible to cry and dance at the same time. As well as songs both solo and together, there will be stories and poetry from the highway of life.

Bowes and Gilmonby Parish Hall
Friday 20 March 7.30pm
For tickets contact 01833 628373

CHUCK AND ALBERT - CANADA

Barachois alumni, Chuck and Albert, are no strangers to the art of total entertainment. Their performances are a mixture of all-out sketch and caricature comedy routines and the upbeat foot stomping music of their indigenous Prince Edward Island Acadian roots. Equipped with generous portions of faces, flying feet and fiddle faux-pas, these Island Acadian funnymen pack as much ESI (entertainment per square inch) into a show as an Acadian has relatives.

"One great night of entertainment" The Guardian

Stainton and Streatlam Village Hall
Wednesday 6th May 7.30pm
For tickets contact 01833 631045

CONTEMPORARY CRAFT TOUR 2009 - PAPER TRAIL

Spring 2009 will be touring the work of two contemporary makers who work with paper in sculptural form - Julie Roberts and Peter Rush.

• Julie Roberts creates vessels, lampshades, mirrors, larger scale installation pieces, and more recently a range of jewellery, from an innovative and specially developed method of papermaking. Her sculptural forms are constructed by combining paper with textile fibres which are then moulded, dyed and often hand stitched. Julie exhibits nationally, provided textile and arts based workshops to children and adults and is also an educator. To see more of Julie's work visit her website at www.julieroberts.co.uk
• Peter Rush uses softened paper as a modelling material directly applied to a wire framework to make figures - humans, birds and animals. Many of Peter's sculptures are instantly recognisable as figures in the public arena, popular and unpopular, now caricatured and parodied. Peter applies his magic to various scales - life-size, smaller cased and interactive sculptures, some humorous, some satirical.

The Witham Hall, Barnard Castle
Friday 29th - Sunday 31st May 11.00am - 5.00pm daily
For tickets contact 01833 631107

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International Artists to visit County Durham Villages in 2009

The National Rural Touring Forum is bringing international artists to County Durham villages in a unique way.

In April 2009, the National Rural Touring Forum in partnership with Arts Council of England and Culture10 will present ''International Village of Culture'' - an international showcase and conference on Rural Touring. International Village of Culture includes an International Festival of Rural Touring - a four day showcase of international work in villages in the Wear Valley and Teesdale districts of County Durham.

Between Wednesday 1st and Saturday 4th April eight village venues in County Durham will host eleven performances by international companies from Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Poland and Norway..

Click here for full details of all the performances

Click here for background information about the International Village of Culture

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Highlights Rural Touring Scheme Contact Details:

Telephone Number: 01768 353954

Email: info@highlightsnorth.co.uk

Website:www.highlightsnorth.co.uk