HIGH quality live performances are being brought to the doorsteps of local communities thanks to an initiative funded by Live Borders and Creative Scotland.

Borders Live Touring (BLT) supports village halls and other venues by offering a wide range of performances from some of the best touring companies across the country.

An eclectic mix of events are in store for Spring 2017 and the Live Borders Arts & Creativity Team have been working hard with a range of venues to ensure that there is something on offer that caters for everyone over the next few months.

From Town Yetholm to Kirkhope and St Abbs to Galashiels, the venues are preparing to showcase a range of exciting shows.

As part of the annual Puppet Animation Festival, which is the UK’s largest performing arts event, shows include The Fisherman and the Seal by Yugen Puppet Company which tells the comic tale of a fisherman falling in love with a seal and a charming and inventive twist on the Jack and The Beanstalk story – Jack and the Beans Talk – which plenty of interaction, an enormous beanstalk, bags of gold and a smelly old giant!

Borders Live Touring is also proud to be hosting the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music from Plockton High School as part of their 2017 student tour.

The concerts will feature several students in various combinations before playing together in a powerful finale.

The Scottish Borders provides an excellent backdrop and the students will be performing at Eyemouth Hippodrome on March 27, Kirkhope Village Hall on the 28th and Stichill Village Hall on the 29th.

Becki Hodgson, Rural Touring Development Officer said: “Thanks to a large injection of time, enthusiasm and strong commitment from local volunteers the programme of events that are coming up this spring offer a fantastic mix of music, drama and dance – something for everyone!”

Borders Live Touring programme

Wednesday, March 8 - A View from the Edge by Owdyado Theatre Company at Caddonfoot Village Hall

Friday, March 10 - A View from the Edge by Owdyado Theatre Company at Kirkhope Village Hall

Saturday, March 11 - Writing Workshop at Heart of Hawick

Thursday, March 23 - Writing Workshop at MacArts, Bridge Street, Galashiels

Saturday, March 25 - The Fisherman and the Seal by Yugen Puppet Company at Wauchope Hall, Town Yetholm

Monday, March 27 - Traditional Music Student Tour at Eyemouth Hippodrome

Tuesday, March 28 - Traditional Music Student Tour at Kirkhope Village Hall

Wednesday, March 29 - Traditional Music Student Tour at Stichill Village Hall,

Saturday, April 1 - Dinosaur Detectives by Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre at Caddonfoot Village Hall

Saturday, April 1 - Oscar’s Amazing Space Adventure by Mousetale Puppets at The Ebba Centre, St. Abbs

Monday, April 3 - The Zoom Club: Paper Puppets! at the MacArts, Bridge Street, Galashiels

Monday, April 10 - Jack and the Beans Talk by Garlic Theatre at Bowhill Theatre, Selkirk

Monday, April 10 - T-his/T-hat interactive performance by Fuora Dance Project at Oxnam Village Hall

Tuesday, April 11 - T-his/T-hat interactive performance by Fuora Dance Project at Bowhill Theatre

Saturday, April 15 - T-his/T-hat interactive performance by Fuora Dance Project at MacArts, Galashiels

Wednesday, May 3 - Brewband at Eastgate Theatre Peebles

Thursday, May 4 - Brewband at MacArts, Galashiels

Thursday, June 8 - PULSE at Studio on the Green, Selkirk

Friday, June 9 - PULSE at Newlands Centre, Romanno Bridge

Ewan Jackson, Chief Executive, Live Borders, added: “Borders Live Touring offers a fantastic opportunity to bring people together to enjoy affordable and memorable performances.”