Cheshire Rural Touring Arts Spring 2026
Cheshire Rural Touring Arts (CRTA) returns next month with their Spring 2026 programme, presenting a superb selection of high-quality professional shows to enjoy right on your doorstep. With theatre, music, dance, storytelling and family shows, there really is something for everyone.
Entertainment, a warm welcome and affordable prices, booking is open now.
CRTA relies on volunteer promoters who select, and host shows in community venues for audiences across Cheshire to enjoy. Their hard work and hospitality is the heartbeat of Cheshire Rural Touring Arts.
Councillor Lisa Denson, Cabinet Member for A Fairer Future said:
CRTA is a brilliant asset to Cheshire. You can get along to your local village hall, socialise with your neighbours, and enjoy a fabulous high-quality professional show , selected and hosted locally by you, for you. From War of the Worlds to a Bingo night mystery to an alternative Shakespeare, there’s music from Canada and China, A Cappella and a Chamber orchestra. There are shows for all ages and a huge variety of choice.
Cheshire Rural Touring Arts is a partnership between Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire East Council, supported by Arts Council England.
The Spring 2026 shows include:
Lost Dog: Juliet and Romeo
Saturday 14 March 7.30pm - Vicars Cross Community Centre, CH3 5LP - 07861 041795
Sunday 15 March 3.30pm - Neston Town Hall, CH64 9TR - 07740 463 203
What if Romeo & Juliet didn’t die in a tragic misunderstanding?
Join the award-winning company Lost Dog as they explore the alternative ending to the greatest romantic tragedy of all time, through theatre, comedy and dance.
Watch on as the world’s most romantic couple share their struggles with the world - their therapist told them it was a terrible idea.
“It's not often you're doubled over with laughter and wiping away tears of sadness during the same show. Given the components that come together in Juliet & Romeo, however, it's no surprise.” ***** The Scotsman
Suitability: 12+
Gav Cross: War of the Worlds
Saturday 21 March 7.30pm – Audlem Scout and Guide Hall, CW3 0AL - tava325@gmail.com
Saturday 2 May 7.30pm – Tarvin Community Centre, CH3 8LY - 07976 309974
Friday 8 May 7.30pm - Jodrell Bank, SK11 9DL – 01477 571766
Friday 29 May 7.30pm - Cotebrook Village Hall, CW6 0JJ - 07867 023079
Like an audiobook come to life. Seasoned storyteller Gav Cross performs the Sci-fi classic from H.G.Wells, accompanied by a haunting original soundtrack from musician Chris Bastock.
'War of the Worlds' is a book that's never gone out of print. Find out why as this 100-minute event plunges audiences into a world torn apart by a merciless Martian invasion.
Expect to be both excited and horrified in equal measure.
Suitability: 12+
Professor Listworth and Chester Wizard School: The Divination Tent
Saturday 11 April 11am - Cotebrook Village Hall, CW6 0JJ - 07867 023079
Friday 5 June 6pm - Tarvin Community Centre, CH3 8LY - 07976 309974
Sunday 7 June 1pm - Hoole Community Centre, CH2 3AP - 01244 342741
Hugo discovers the Divination section at his local library and a deep fascination is sparked.
Join him on his journey 'Destined for Greatness' as Hugo explores the mysterious and ancient art of predicting the future, meeting colourful characters along the way.
‘The Divination Tent’ is a playful and interactive, one-man-show combining storytelling, physical comedy, and simple theatre magic. Children (6-11) and their grown-ups can be part of the action when they get their hands on fortune telling teacups and a mystic crystal ball.
Suitability: Children aged 6-12 and their families
Just Some Theatre: Eyes Down
Saturday 25 April 7.30pm - Upton (by Chester) Village Hall, CH2 1HX - 07584 597621
Sunday 26 April 7.30pm - Kelsall Community Centre, CW6 0SB - 07951 794442
Thursday 30 April 7.30pm - Siddington Village Hall, SK11 9JR - 07791 359493
Dabbers, Droopy Doors... and Death! It’s Bingo Night, the Stairway to Heaven Social Club is set and ‘Mr Razzle Dazzle’ Bertie Bingo is ready to host. Tension mounts, and before long a body is discovered.
Whose number is up? What really happened to the previous caller? And more importantly… who will win the novelty Toblerone? It's 'Eyes Down' as the audience join the action, playing real-time games of Bingo as the drama unfolds around them, in this this wildly entertaining comedy-thriller from Just Some Theatre.
Suitability: 14+
Ling Peng: Between the Two Strings - Storytelling through the Erhu
Thursday 30 April 7pm - Macclesfield Library, SK10 1EE - 01625 374000
Friday 1 May 7.30pm - The Five Villages Hall, Backford, CH1 6NT - 07743 490726
Saturday 2 May 7pm - Neston United Reformed Church, CH64 9UZ - 07740 463 203
Ling Peng is a storyteller and one of the UK's most well-known players of the Erhu, an ancient, captivating and highly expressive instrument that summons the soul of Chinese culture.
‘Between the Two Strings’, is her biographical story of growing up in 1960's China as a musical child prodigy who performed to thousands during the Cultural Revolution, before her departure in 1991 as the country entered a period of rapid change.
This unique and intimate performance promises to take us into the heart of Chinese heritage.
Suitability: 12+
Badapple Theatre: Crumbs
Friday 15 May 7.30pm - Goostrey Scout Hut, CW4 8PE - 07940 579723
Saturday 16 May 7pm - Gawsworth Village Hall, SK11 9QY - 07870 822 837
Sunday 17 May 7pm - Vicars Cross Community Centre, CH3 5LP - 07861 041795
Petronella Parfait was a TV baking show host, but she's been 'let go' in suspicious circumstances. If she's to survive in the modern-day world of influencers and social-media millionaires, a re-brand is in order; can she keep the lights (and oven) on, in the face of certain doom?
There are slips, trips and laughs a-plenty in 'Crumbs' a comedy theatre show, full of songs, original music, and live action baking, brought to Cheshire by Bad Apple Theatre.
It's the perfect recipe for a great night out, grab a slice of the action.
Suitability: 12+
Northern Chamber Orchestra – Quartet
Friday 22 May 8pm - Great Budworth Parish Hall, CW9 6HL - 07886 878047
Saturday 23 May 7.30pm - Hoole Community Centre, CH2 3AP - 01244 342741
Sunday 7 June 3pm - 1st Weaverham Sea Scout Hall, CW8 3NG - 07941 166 632
The Northern Chamber Orchestra is the longest established professional Chamber Orchestra in the North West. Join a selection of their soloists for an intimate performance of exquisite music, on violin, viola and cello, featuring familiar favourites and some undiscovered gems.
Whether an ardent admirer of Chamber Music or a novice newbie, hearing music of such beauty and complexity played live promises to deliver an unforgettable experience that’s truly enthralling.
Suitability: 8+
Daryl & Co and Half Moon: Boxed In
Saturday 30 May 11am & 2pm - Theatre Porto, CH65 6QY - 0151 357 2120
‘Boxed In’ is a playful children’s theatre show for anyone who’s ever felt a bit confused, a bit left out, or a bit boxed in. Exploring invisible rules of behaviour; the way people act and what others think you should do, inviting us all to imagine a world where everyone feels they belong.
With playful movement, storytelling, humour and a touch of chaos combined, Boxed In is created by Disabled-led theatre company Daryl & Co. and Half Moon, UK’s leading small-scale theatre venue for children.
Boxed In is largely non-verbal, accessible and inclusive to a wide range of people, including d/Deaf, hard of hearing, BSL users and non-English speakers. Made for everyone.
FreePlay: A Cappella around the World
Friday 5 June 7.30pm - Plumley Village Hall, WA16 0TR - 07977 367483
Saturday 6 June 7.30pm - PLATFORM, CreweCreates CIC, Market Street, Crewe, CW1 2HB - 07719 545800
'Freeplay' have wowed audiences across the globe and now they're coming to Cheshire.
Using live looping, this sensational a cappella duo transforms two voices into twenty, building intricate arrangements,100% live, no instruments, no backing tracks. Creating every sound from drums, to strings and guitar, with the human voice.
Freeplay span all musical genres to bring every style together in perfect harmony.
“Beyond Incredible!” (Mark Kibble, Take 6)
“Brilliant!” (Janis Siegel, The Manhattan Transfer)
Suitability: Adults
Wright and Grainger: Selene
Friday 26 June 7.30pm - Knutsford Market Hall, WA16 6DF - 01565 653 929
Saturday 27 June 7.30pm - Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement, SK11 9DL - 01477 571766
The internationally award-winning experts in storytelling, Wright&Grainger, return to Cheshire this Spring, following a successful tour in Australia, where they received five-star reviews at FRINGE WORLD Festival in Perth.
‘Selene’ tells the story of the Goddess and personification of the moon, known for her beauty and radiant glow - and what happens when she acknowledges the dark side of herself.
Join Wright&Grainger as they combine Greek Mythology with an epic soundtrack, to turn classical tales modern myths.
“SELENE is joyous, funny, heartfelt and life-affirming... Revel in its darkness and its light” FRINGEFEED 5/5
Suitability: 14+
Rum Ragged
Wednesday 1 July 7.30pm - St Marys Creative Space, Chester, CH1 2DW
Audience favourites Rum Ragged make a welcome return to Cheshire, after sell-out performances with CRTA in 2024.
The 2021 JUNO Award nominees take a bold approach to the distinct music of their home, the Eastern Canadian island of Newfoundland and Labrador. With a reverence for their roots and a creative, contemporary edge, they are considered the finest performers of their musical tradition, boasting bouzouki, fiddle, bodhran, banjo, guitar, and button accordion,
Always honest, thought-provoking, and often humorous, Rum Ragged's live shows enliven audiences with their signature brand of Newfoundland folk.
This performance is a special fundraiser event for CRTA.
Suitability: All
Performance details and online booking is available on the CRTA website: www.cheshireruraltouringarts.org.uk
Tickets: www.ticketsource.co.uk/cheshireruraltouringarts