The Border Readers are back with Land Lines, a captivating live reading series that brings to life short stories set in the rural countryside. This engaging showcase highlights the work of some of today’s finest contemporary writers, each offering a unique perspective on rural life. Through these stories, audiences will find a blend of humour, poignancy, and profound reflections on modern-day countryside living.
Tim Pears’ Blue: A Reflection on Life’s End
In Tim Pears’s moving story Blue, a dying farmer reflects on his life. As he looks back on his years of toil and experiences, he finds himself viewing the world with fresh eyes. The story captures both the beauty and harshness of rural life as the farmer contemplates his place in a rapidly changing world.
Deborah Moggach’s How I Learnt to be a Real Countrywoman: Conservation and Cunning
Deborah Moggach’s How I Learnt to be a Real Countrywoman offers a lighter, more humorous tone. The story follows Ruthie, a Londoner who moves to the countryside. As she embarks on a personal campaign to conserve her new rural environment, Ruthie discovers that her efforts not only breathe life into the landscape but also reignite her personal passions.
Adam Thorpe’s In the Author’s Footsteps: Chaos in the Countryside
Adam Thorpe’s In the Author’s Footsteps takes readers on an amusing journey with a determined walker. Armed with an outdated guidebook, the protagonist finds himself lost and wreaking havoc in Milton Keynes. This story highlights the sometimes bewildering gap between past and present in rural settings.
Helen Dunmore’s Protection: A Mother’s Fear in Isolation
Protection by Helen Dunmore introduces Florence, an artist living in an isolated rural home. As the mother of twin daughters, Florence becomes increasingly anxious about potential intruders. The story explores the lengths to which a mother will go to protect her children, revealing the tension that isolation can bring to rural life.
Jo Scott’s Leap of Faith: Love and Drama in the Northumberland Hills
Emerging talent Jo Scott sets her story Leap of Faith in the stunning Northumberland hills on midsummer eve. When two young villagers take a swim in a moorland lough, their lives become intertwined in dramatic and unexpected ways. Scott’s vivid storytelling captures the wild beauty of the rural landscape and the intensity of youthful emotions.
A touring company with a passion for stories
Since 2018, The Border Readers have been entertaining local audiences across village halls, libraries, pubs, and art centres with their intimate readings of short fiction. The group, comprised of seasoned professional actors, takes pride in bringing compelling stories to life, with themes ranging from ghosts to crime. This year’s Land Lines tour is their largest and most extensive yet, with 17 venues included in the schedule.
The company is particularly thrilled to showcase Jo Scott’s work and feature a production image by renowned lino cut artist Tom Davidson, capturing the essence of borderland scenes. This collaboration adds an artistic touch to an already immersive experience.
Upcoming tour and how to find out more
For those looking to enjoy an evening of storytelling, The Border Readers will be performing at 17 different venues across the region. To find out more about the writers, actors, and tour schedule, visit www.theborderreaders.co.uk.
The Land Lines tour promises to be a memorable celebration of rural life through the voices of some of today’s most talented writers and actors, offering audiences both entertainment and food for thought.
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