During lockdown, Highlights Rural Touring Scheme commissioned musician Rob Heron, storyteller Nick Hennessey and the team behind the sell-out theatre show Ladies That Bus to each create a short piece for radio. Created by rural touring artists, specifically for rural audiences, these pieces of work will be broadcast first on BBC Radio Cumbria’s The Arty Show, next Monday 14 September before being made available online.
Musician Rob Heron hails from Penrith, and has played many Highlights venues with his Newcastle based Tea Pad Orchestra. He brings a taste of ‘Newcastle’s finest swing-honkytonk-rockabilly band (fRoots)’ to the broadcast.
South Lakeland based Nick Hennessey forges a bridge between the song and the spoken word, as an internationally acclaimed storyteller, playwright, folk singer, song writer and musician.
In early 2020, Ladies That Bus sold out venues across Cumbria with their comedy drama based on the 555 bus route from Lancaster to Keswick.
BBC Radio Cumbria presenter Helen Millican will also interview the artists, village hall promoters and audience members during the show.
Highlights has partnered with rural touring schemes Arts Out West, Cumbria and Carn to Cove, Cornwall to ensure that offline arts content can be provided to rural communities at this time. With funding from the National Rural Touring Forum.
Monday 14 September 7pm – 10pm
BBC Radio Cumbria The Arty Show
95.6FM 96.1FM Digital
