AS the nights draw in, village halls across Teesdale will be keeping the lights on as they welcome audiences to a rich mix of work touring with Highlights Rural Touring Scheme this autumn.
Between September and December, a wide range of entertaining, inspiring and thought-provoking shows will be brought right into the heart of rural communities, helping to keep things live and local in the village and providing a date in the diary to look forward to.
Audiences in Teesdale can travel back in time for a comic investigation into an 80s childhood haunting in I Ain’t Afraid of No Ghost (Mickelton); enter a steamy authentic bath house as actor Nick Cassenbaum searches for his Jewish identity in Bubble Schmeisis (Bowes); and learn the fate of the young Baskerville heir in a Northern Stage production of Sherlock Holmes’ most infamous case, The Hound of the Baskervilles (Hamsterley). This latest show from Northern Stage is touring to villages with Highlights following its opening run at their home in Newcastle.
Highlights’ “pick of the sticks” this autumn is a colourful show for children and families from award-winning Sonia Sabria Company. Same Same…But Different mixes Kathak with western dance styles and live music to celebrate individuality (Staindrop).
Also in Staindrop, audiences can gather round to hear James Rowland tell his own life-affirming story and “hymn to friendship” in Revelations.
Music touring to Teesdale includes five-piece Son Yambu who will be raising the temperature in Whorlton Village Hall with their red hot rhythms straight from the streets of eastern Cuba.
Barningham Village Hall is keeping things hot with a Flamenco fusion from formidable guitarist Eduardo Niebla accompanied by fleet-fingered Matthew Robinson.
And, rounding off in Teesdale is a festive performance in Boldron from virtuoso musicians Marie Ni Chathasaigh (harp) and Chris Newman (guitar) in their show Celtic Christmas Strings.
Highlights’ new season is the first programmed by Highlights’ new co director, Kate Lynch, who joined the scheme in January.
She said: “We're looking forward to lighting up village halls across Teesdale and Weardale this winter. There's lots to look forward to and we hope audiences will support live events in their village.
LISTINGS
Eduardo Niebla in Concert. Friday, Sept 27, 7.30pm, Barningham Village Hall. Tickets £9.50, £4 child, and £20 family. Tell. 01833 621203.
Nick Cassenbaum, Bubble Schmeisis. Thursday, October 17, 7.30pm, Bowes and Gilmonby Parish Hall. Tickets £10, £9 conc, £5 students. Tel. 01833 628343.
Little Earthquake – I Ain’t Afraid of No Ghost. Saturday October 26, 7.30pm Mickleton Village Hall. Tickets £10, £6 child, £26 family. Tel. 01833 640909.
Northern Stage – The Hound of the Baskervilles. Thursday, October 31, 7.30pm, Hamsterley Village Hall. Tickets £8, £5 child, £24 family. Tel. 01388 488323/ 01388 48802.
Same Same…But Different. Sunday, November 10, 6pm, Scarth Memorial Hall. Tickets £10, £5 child, £23 family. Tel. 07881 248478.
Son Yambu – Thursday, November 21, 7.30pm, Whorlton Village Hall. Tickets £10, £5 child, £25 family. Tel. 01833 627253.
Tangram Theatre – Revelations. Sunday, November 24, 8pm, Scarth Memorial Hall, Staindrop. Tickets £10. Tel. 07881 248478.
Máire Ní Chathasaigh and Chris Newman – Celtic Christmas Strings. Thursday, December 12, 8pm, Boldon Village Hall. Tickets £10, £25 family. Tel. 01833 638210
Visit www.highlightsnorth.
co.uk for more details.
