COMEDIAN Mitch Benn will be on stage in Cheshire later this month as rural touring theatre returns.

A variety of high quality performances are being held in intimate community spaces across the county.

The live shows are supported by Cheshire East and Cheshire West Councils and Arts Council England.

Mitch is perhaps best known as the resident comic songwriter on BBC Radio 4’s The Now Show for more than a decade.

He embarks on his first tour in years entitled ‘It’s About Time’.

If it feels like the past is catching up with us and the future isn’t what it used to be, then fear not.

With clock in one hand and guitar in the other, this show will help you look and laugh at time in a whole new way.

The satirical songwriter, musician and actor will appear at Great Budworth Parish Hall on Thursday, April 20 and at Plumley Village Hall on Friday, April 21.

Both shows start at 7.30pm.

Gus Glynn, a classically trained fingerstyle guitarist, traces the development of music in Routes to Classics at the 1st Weaverham Sea Scout Hall on Saturday, April 22.

Lucy Stevens and Elizabeth Marcus present Gertrude Lawrence: A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening at Goostrey Village Hall on Saturday, June 3.

Venues being used for the spring season include village halls, libraries and a scouts’ hall meaning that these varied shows will go to as wide an audience as possible.

Brendan Flanagan, head of culture and tourism for Cheshire East Council, said: “The Cheshire Rural Touring Theatre is the absolute lifeblood of performance art in our rural borough and the quality and variety of the offer this season is excellent.

“We know that the shows always prove very popular and as the weather warms up a little and as we are now enjoying the longer daylight hours, I hope that Cheshire East residents will continue to come out and support these fantastic productions.”

Cheshire Rural Touring Arts were recently awarded national portfolio status by Arts Council England, which means that they have secured funding for the next three years.

Performance details and online booking for their upcoming shows are available at cheshireruraltouringarts.co.uk