Arts performances are set to return to village halls and community venues this summer.
Highlights Rural Touring Scheme is hoping to breathe life back into villages and towns across South Lakes, Eden and rural Carlisle.
From theatre, dance, live music and cabaret performances to family shows and creative workshops, Highlights said it was eager to bring some of the UK’s best touring companies and artists back into rural community spaces.
Kate Lynch, director, said: “Last year we had to cancel far too many performances, so it was with an air of optimism over adversity that we programmed this season into early summer.
“We are delighted by the Government announcement that from May 17 we can bring great arts performances back to our rural venues. Things will look different.
“Audiences will be smaller; venues might feel less intimate. But there will be a warm welcome and our artists will perform with the same heart and passion as always.”
Highlights works with an army of volunteer promoters in over 65 community venues and village halls across the North of England.
This season sees 24 events in 15 community venues in Cumbria.
Among the theatre highlights is an entertaining play Old Herbaceous, exploring rural society but that of a bygone era told through the eyes of a retired head gardener of a country house.
Forgotten women in history feature in two very different performances.
Singer songwriter Louise Jordan explores the myth of the Lady with the Lamp in her show Florence.
SOLD tells the remarkable story of Mary Prince, who escaped 40 years of slavery to become a beacon of the British Abolitionist movement.
This award-wining show combines traditional African Griot storytelling fused with drumming, dance and song in an exceptional piece of theatre.
British social history continues with a one-man adaptation of Robert Tressell’s The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist.
The Magic Lantern show features audience participation, storytelling, songs and one-liners for the whole family.
In Love and Spice, the Balbir Singh Dance Company fuse Kathak and contemporary dance, music and a homemade curry cooked by a chef during the performance.
Dance continues with The Hotel Experience from Lila Dance where nothing is quite as it seems behind the do not disturb signs.
There’s a plethora of live music on offer from an evocative toe-tapping tribute to French music courtesy of Fifi la Mer and beautiful original music from BBC 2 Folk Awards winner Rowan Rheingans in her new show Dispatches on the Red Dress.
Seasoned folk musician and musical narrator of the West End’s War Horse, Saul Rose joins the tour for a rare solo show while Flats & Sharps head to Cumbria with their fusion of foot-stomping Appalachian tunes with a unique Cornish folk twist.
This year, for the first time, Highlights is bringing artists and designer makers to community venues for workshops.
Among the workshops on offer are origami, leather tooling and lino printing.
Should performances or workshops need to be cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, ticket holders will be refunded in full.
For more information, visit www.highlightsnorth.co.uk
