Live & Local have announced their new Winter/Spring 2024/25 season of professional performances in community venues across Leicestershire. With music, drama, comedy-theatre, dance, storytelling, puppetry and more, there really is something for everybody!

Funded by Arts Council England and local district and borough councils, Live & Local has been facilitating surprising shows in surprising places for over 33 years by supporting local volunteers to bring exciting and awe-inspiring shows for all ages to community spaces across the county.

Running into the Christmas period, this season promises lots of exciting new performers and shows for audiences to discover, as well as returning favourites, which guarantee a fantastic night out in a Leicestershire village near you. Highlights include:

Shakespeare fans will enjoy Alas! Poor Yorick, a witty and interactive theatrical gem by Ridiculusmus, the UK’s oldest experimental theatre duo, which reimagines Shakespeare’s gravediggers with humour and song.

Very Much Alive! by Sonrisa, an exciting rootsy acoustic trio playing original songs blending Spanish guitar, infectious Latin rhythms with mellow flute and soulful vocals.

Don’t miss Ruth Lyon and Conrad Bird, the powerhouse duo from Holy Moly & The Crackers, as they embark on a new musical journey. With their acclaimed repertoire and captivating storytelling, prepare for an intimate acoustic experience that leaves hearts full.

As Christmas approaches, get along to Jez Lowe’s Lost Christmas where you can join award-winning songwriter Jez Lowe and The Bad Pennies for an evening of festive music and stories from Northeast England.

Steve Wilson, Artist Engagement Officer at Live & Local said:

“We’re extremely excited to launch this new season, packed full of high-quality shows from established and emerging artists and performers. It’s also really exciting to see many of the artists who have participated in our talent development programme DART (Developing Artists for Rural Touring) progress on to our menu and see them embraced by our network of promoters. Audiences are going to love it!”

Leicestershire Listings:

·         Fri 11 Oct, 8:00pm, Wymeswold Memorial Hall, Lyon & Bird, LE12 6TY

·         Sat 26 Oct, 7:00pm, Quorn Village Hall, Alas! Poor Yorick, LE12 8BB

·         Sat 14 Dec, 7:30pm, Desford Village Hall, Jez Lowe’s Lost Christmas, LE9 9GN

·         Sat 1 Feb, 8:00pm, Stoke Golding Village Hall, Sonrisa – Very Much Alive!, CV13 6EA

For full details and tickets, visit liveandlocal.org.uk.