VILLAGE audiences across County Durham will enjoy a range of professional touring productions this autumn under the Highlights Rural Touring Scheme.

The project, which also covers Cumbria and Northumberland, makes national touring performances affordable to village promoters through subsidies.

The County Durham season brings 15 shows and 19 performances by leading small-scale UK touring companies, ranging from award winning comedy theatre and topical plays to Edinburgh Fringe hits and new writing; Celtic and French Canadian music and country Blues, jazz and satirical songs; plus dance, puppetry, magic, children’s entertainment and three shows for Christmas.

Dates this month include: Thursday, September 18, 8pm, An Evening with Mervyn Stutter, actor, comedian, satirical songwriter and founder member of the Flying Pickets, Boldron Village Hall, tickets £9/ £20 family, from 01833 638210; Wednesday, September 24, 7.30pm, Pacific Curls – Celtic Roots, a mix of Scottish fiddle playing and Maori instrumentation and lyrics, Hamsterley Village Hall, tickets £7, £5 child, £22 family, 01388 488323; Friday, September 26, 7pm, Wee Stories – One Giant Leap, an attempt to bring the whole universe into modern understanding using a tennis ball, waste paper basket and theatrical invention, St Thomas Church Hall, Stanhope, suitable for children aged ten and over, tickets £8.50, £5.50 child and £22.50 family, from 01388 528673. Tickets for all shows can also be booked online at highlightsnorth.co.uk.