Cumbrian songwriters are being offered a chance to showcase their talents through a new series of live events at Whitehaven’s Rosehill Theatre.

Presented by After 4 Productions in association with Rosehill, Live & Electric: Songwriters on Friday 27 April will bring local writers together for one night to perform their own compositions, supported by a house band and featuring a compere.

The programme is being run by West Cumbrian music professionals Zoe Warren and Lee Shackley, who are reviving a successful series that first ran in 2011 and 2012. Zoe says: “The original series worked really well and proved very popular.

There are lots of talented people in Cumbria and we want to support and showcase them on the Rosehill stage.” Among those on the programme so far include Mark Carruthers, Phil Lewthwaite, Gavin McKew, Anne-Marie McStraw, Spud, and Zoe herself. Other local songwriters interested in taking part are able to apply via the After 4 Productions Facebook page and details of the event are also on the website http://www.after4productions.co.uk.

Each artist will be invited to play two songs accompanied by the house band, featuring Lee on guitar and keys, Andrew Bates on drums and Rob Lambert on bass. Lee says: “It brings a whole new dimension to a composition when a performer is supported by a band rather than playing on their own. The audience get to hear it in a very different way!”

The couple are planning a range of themes as part of the Live & Electric series, with 1980s, rock, songs from the shows, and even country all currently in the ideas pot! “This format draws in different people every time and makes it really interesting,” adds Zoe.

Don’t miss the chance to support a group of up-and-coming stars in a very special celebration of home-grown talent.

The evening begins at 7.30pm and tickets, at £15, are available from the box office on 01946 692422, online at http://rosehilltheatre.co.uk or by emailing [email protected]