Autumn Season 2025 Review
As we put the finishing touches to our Spring 2026 programme, we’re taking a moment to reflect on an Autumn 2025 season that was ambitious, wide-reaching and full of memorable moments; from brand new venues and sold-out shows to national partnerships and joyful audience responses. Here are just a few of our highlights from what has been a fantastic season:
A sold-out start
The season opened in style with Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World at Bardsea Malt Kiln, a brand new venue for Highlights.
With a sold-out audience of over 100 people, it was a brilliant way to launch the season and welcome a new community into the network.
“A great night of music, entertainment and history.
Duane gave a refreshing insight into the meaning behind some of Bob Marley’s songs.
We were treated to Duane and Johanna’s own music in the second half – what a bonus!
International work on rural stages
Medusa, first showcased at the Canada Folk Music Awards 2024 in St John’s, Newfoundland, joined us to deliver four powerful performances across the region showing how international work can resonate deeply in rural settings.
New national partnerships
Wild marked the first performance of Create Tour Connect, a new national rural touring commissioning project. Being part of its very first outing was a significant moment for the season and for the future of rural touring collaboration.
“Absolutely top notch performers who also managed to bring warmth and humour that felt fresh, and who seemed to be really enjoying themselves, as well as enjoying interacting with us afterwards. Amazing to have such skilled professionals in our village!”
Autumn 2025 in numbers
Autumn 2025 was a busy and vibrant season across our rural touring network:
Alongside the performance programme, our Creative Highlights activity continued to grow:
Sound Roots double bills
A new collaboration with Sound Roots enabled us to champion emerging artists, with two double bill performances programmed, creating shared experiences that felt special, generous and rooted in place.
Big audiences, big energy
Graffiti Classics brought the audiences in at no less than nine performances, with over 135 people turning out at Lazonby alone for a high-energy night that brought the house down.
“A really beautiful performance from both Ed and Anna. Ed told stories and context around each of his songs. Anna’s incredible voice and beautiful harp playing was such a wonderful and tranquil performance.“
“Both Lucy Grubb and Filkin’s Drift were excellent, a great mix of stories, humour and great songs; a lovely evening.”
A perfect finale
The season closed with Ríoghnach Connolly, whose performances provided a fitting and joyful end to the Autumn programme. With sold-out shows, audiences responded warmly to the intimacy and honesty of the work, creating a real sense of connection in each venue.
It was a reminder of the power of live music in small-scale settings, and a beautiful way to round off a standout season.
“An amazing talent. She has tremendous vocal skills and story telling
which is superbly communicated through her music. “
Creative Highlights
Alongside the performance programme, Creative Highlights delivered its most successful season to date. Across 15 workshops, 164 participants took part, with an average 81% capacity — a strong indicator of growing demand for high-quality, artist-led creative activity in rural communities.
The Autumn programme balanced returning favourites with new workshop formats, supporting both participant development and artist sustainability.
Developing local artists
Learn to Draw Portraits, led by Rae Hope, was a brand new workshop developed through Creative Highlights. The sessions supported a local artist to expand their workshop offer while engaging communities in Arnside and Ellingham, giving participants the confidence to explore portrait drawing in an accessible and supportive setting.
Returning favourites, new participants
Carve, Paint, Print saw Julie Evans return for her second season with Creative Highlights. The workshops were fully booked, welcoming a new group of Provincetown white-line carvers and printers, and demonstrating the value of repeat programming that continues to attract fresh audiences.
Seasonal making with lasting impact
Christmas Fused Glass, delivered by Karen Varley of Glass by Donemark, proved hugely popular. Participants created festive decorations and gifts using fused glass techniques, combining technical learning with the pleasure of making something personal and lasting.
“A very helpful and friendly tutor, and a very fun session. I’d never done fused glass before but enjoyed myself and was proud of the pieces I made. Looking forward to seeing how they look when they’ve been fired!”
High demand and future plans
A single Let’s Enjoy Watercolour workshop with Joan Aitchison in Soulby was a roaring success. Demand for places was high, and the venue has already asked for Joan to return (and for longer) next year, highlighting the appetite for extended and repeat workshops within the programme.
Autumn 2025 wouldn’t have been possible without our incredible network of volunteer promoters, venues, artists, funders and audiences. Your commitment continues to make ambitious rural touring possible — and meaningful.
“This is a fabulous venue, very much part of its village community. We don’t live in Barningham but make a point of coming to the Highlights productions; the venue’s selection of theatre, music and the spoken word is eclectic, thought provoking and, without fail, ‘stays with us’ long after the evening. Fabulous.”
