We’ve now reached the end our Autumn season and it’s been a real pleasure working once again with our incredible volunteer promoters and audiences to bring communities together, and to enjoy live performances in small venues across the North of England. Despite the ever-present cloud of Covid-19 we were able to go ahead with 71 public performances, 10 schools performances and 18 participatory events, with just 2 shows been cancelled due to Storm Arwen.
Here at Highlights HQ we’ll be taking a short break over the festive season before returning refreshed in the New Year with our new season for Spring 2022. From young, exciting and emerging artists to companies already well-known and loved in rural touring, we hope our new season will offer something for everyone.
Featuring a wide range of styles, our musical programme encompasses everything from the worlds of folk (folk-award winner Maddie Morris, Elsa Jean McTaggart), jazz (Zoë Gilby) and acoustic roots (Mambo Jambo) to WWII knitting songs (yes that is a genre!) in a Stitch In Time: A Knitting Cabaret.
Theatrical works range from apocalyptic pub quizzes, Northern social history, stories of identity and not one but two hilarious and immersive murder-mystery evenings. Bringing the enjoyment of live theatre to a family audience, there’s a brand-new production of Pinocchio and the chance to get inventing and creating with the eco-friendly Curious Investigators.
After the success of our Creative Highlights workshops back in Spring 2021, we’re pleased to be offering a choice of four new workshops for Spring 2022. Hosted by local artists, the half and full-day workshops will cover a range of skills including willow weaving, gelli printing, Mokume Gane and hand-embroidery.
For Spring 2022, we’ve put together a wide and inspiring range of participatory workshops for schools and community groups. Covering a diverse selection of the performing arts, events include drama and dance workshops, theatre devising, creative writing, spoken word & storytelling, animation, song-writing skills & composition, and mental health & well-being.
We hope you have a very merry festive season and a happy new year.
With our best wishes for 2022,
Kate L, Heather, Kate H and Matt
The Highlights Team