Spring 25 has just gone out in an absolute blaze of glory here at Highlights!
It was better than the West End in glittering Kentmere on Friday night when The Bench came to the Institute. Just about all of Kentmere plus 2 dogs were rammed into that tiny venue to experience razor sharp writing and sympathetic performances addressing class, culture, race, poverty, riches, prejudice, love, loss, loneliness, death and war. All the big themes tackled with wit and realism over 2 intense hours. We were exhausted!
And at the end we spotted stage technician Gareth who remembered us from when we put him up in Arnside and introduced us to Carole W who was marvelling at just how many folk had come on foot to see her show. Did they all live in the half dozen houses that seemed to be the extent of Kentmere’s habitation??
Just when we thought it couldn’t get better, Theatre By The Lake came to Arnside EI with Steel and Arnside bought all the available tickets plus some!
Fast and physical, Steel addressed Northern working class pride, shattered community, loss and the love that dares not speak it’s name but which manages to prevail and thrive in a tough town.
We wish the play well when it travels to London and flies the flag for working towns under distant Northern skies.
A weekend cornucopia of live theatre to tide us over until the nights draw in!
Thankyou for continuing to bring big theatre to little places at the ends of the road and edges of the world!
Debbie – Arnside Educational Institute
The Bench was performed at Askham & Helton Community Centre, Kentmere Institute, Hamsterley Village Hall and Great Whittington Village Hall, Steel was performed at Casterton Village Hall, Amble Parish Hall and Arnside Educational Institute as part of the Highlights Spring 2025 season.