IN two short months, Devon’s rural touring scheme, Villages in Action (ViA), has toured six world-class shows to rural communities in Mid Devon.

Villages in Action is a charity which, for 22 years, has arranged tours of professional artists, to bring them to remote village halls and entertain and amaze local people at an affordable cost.

In September, Brampford Speke greeted Cosgrave and Banks, whose folk duets and witty banter had the audience spellbound.

The following month, Cheriton Fitzpaine Parish Hall hosted Panta Rei Danseteater, a touring dance company from Oslo. The dancers laid on a workshop at Cheriton Fitzpaine’s primary school.

Within a few hours the school children were amazed that they could choreograph, lift and climb over each other like professionals.

“It was amazing fun; tricky but I loved it!,” one breathless child reported.

Black Dog had a treat in store for theatre fans with hilarious play My Big Fat Cowpat Wedding by acclaimed company Kali Theatre.

Their village hall was transformed into a wedding venue and the audience became guests for the story of a touching tale of a city slicker marrying a country girl.

Meanwhile, in Cadeleigh in November, the village hall was lit up with tiny tea lights as award-winning folk duo, Ninebarrow, performed their mesmerising harmonies.

“I could have listened to them all night,” reported Catherine Devenish, the Cadeleigh ViA promoter.

In Crediton, Theatre Company, Told by an Idiot blew the roof off Crediton Arts Centre with their anarchic take on the myth of Eldorado, Heads Will Roll.

The physical performers had the audience in stitches with their rude, lude comedy and characterisation, with one audience member saying it was the best thing they had ever seen at the centre.

And last of all, to prove they were still feeling limber, the residents of Cheriton Fitzpaine greeted Son Yambu, Cuban jazz ensemble and salsa fanatics.

The ViA promoter had to run a waiting list in the end, such was the local enthusiasm to “cut the rug” with some Latino moves.

So not a bad autumn for Devon’s sleepy rural heart! Each show succeeded in bringing the whole community together, with audiences often in excess of 100 people, and audience members ranging from nine weeks to 90 years of age.

In spite of several shows being sold out this autumn, the ongoing programme of affordable shows from Villages in Action relies on donations.

Since they lost Arts Council backing, 22 Devon villages have had to drop out of the scheme. To ensure Devonians are entertained on their doorsteps for another 22 years, please lobby your local council and visit www.villagesinaction.co.uk/support-us .

While you are on their website, you can feast your eyes on the events ViA have coming up in the spring!