Performances
Artisan Creative creates live shows for rural touring venues, village halls, libraries, arts venues, theatres, festivals and community spaces - blending storytelling, live music, interactivity and projected imagery into unforgettable evenings.
Performed by Steve Bonham and Chris 'The Bishop' Lydon - and sometimes friends.
Browse our current shows below, or get in touch at info@artisan-creative.com to discuss dates and fees.
A Night In New Orleans
An atmospheric evening of songs and stories from New Orleans - ideal for village halls, rural venues and community spaces.
Duo - 2 x 60 mins with interval (60 min version available).
"Music, mischief and the midnight soul of New Orleans!"
Gone To Look For America
A music-led road trip across America - original songs and storytelling from the heart of the real USA.
Duo - 2 x 60 mins with interval (60 min version available).
"The warmth and easy-going storytelling, coupled with the fabulous guitars and piano, really carried me along in the journey. It was like travelling with old friends." Salford Arts Theatre
The Spirit Dog
A heartwarming true story of adventure and companionship in the Atlas Mountains - performance and workshop aimed at KS2, ideal for libraries and schools.
Duo - 90 mins performance and workshop combined.
"Witnessing the spark of imagination ignited in our students as they engaged with the story and the music was truly magical."
How To Survive and Thrive in an impossible world - with a piano!
Mischievous, fun and fizzing with wisdom - an interactive wellbeing show with live music and gentle audience participation.
Duo - 60 mins. (2 x 40 mins with interval version available).
"The comedy, the music, the cerebral massage - it was like watching Bill Bailey, if he'd been split into two..."
Stumbling Over Eden
Stories and songs celebrating the adventurer within us all - a funny, moving journey from the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara.
Duo - 2 x 45 mins with interval (60 min version available).
"Another incredible evening at Leigh library… Steve really brought his trek to life through extracts, funny tales and amazing songs." Leigh Library
“Two men, a piano, two guitars, a small tent and a philosophy for life – everything you need for an entertaining show in Brighton Fringe.”
Brighton and Hove News: Peter Allinson
"I didn’t know what to expect, when we booked. I was blown away!"
Audience member
“One of the most inspiring things I've ever seen!”
Audience member
Are you a library?
The Spirit Dog is perfect for a primary school group to visit your library for a performance and workshop.
Stumbling Over Eden is great for adult groups and exploring adventure.
Explore science-backed tips for better mental wellbeing with our fun and interactive How To Survive and Thrive
Are you a community venue?
Stumbling Over Eden is great for adult groups as something different and engaging.
How To Survive and Thrive brings wellbeing to the fore and gentle audience interaction for a fun, engaging community event.
If you want a more music-based show, Gone to Look for America fuses storytelling and original songs.
Are you a venue or festival programmer?
Fusing travelogue, storytelling and live original songs, Gone to Look for America takes audiences on a journey!
Stumbling Over Eden explores adventure with stories and song.
Engaging wellbeing tips and gentle audience interaction with How To Survive and Thrive.
The Spirit Dog is perfect for a school group to visit your venue for a performance/workshop.
Are you a school?
The Spirit Dog is perfect for primary schools. We’ll bring our storytelling and music-making session to you!
Stumbling Over Eden is great for secondary-age students / college student and exploring the psychology behind adventure.
A selection of our partners, venues and supporters:
Participant feedback
“We loved the Spirit Dog story and joining in with the music and songs!”
"Witnessing the spark of imagination ignited in our students as they engaged with the story and the music was truly magical. Such an inspiring event!"
"Our friendship group really enjoyed your performance!"
Industry feedback
"The warmth and easy-going storytelling, coupled with the fabulous guitars and piano, really carried me along in the journey. It was like travelling with old friends. Our audience loved spending time ‘on the road’ with The Long Road."
Salford Arts Theatre
Audience feedback
“One of the most inspiring things I've ever seen!”
"I didn’t know what to expect, when we booked. I was blown away!"
"Wow! What an amazing evening!"
Audience feedback
"We had a lovely time at this event tonight. Steve was a very engaging speaker and his stories about a trek across Morocco were so interesting."
"It was a privilege to have you join the Cumbria Soaring Club Lakes Charity Classic paragliding club competition to provoke a conversation about adventure, risk-taking and companionship in the sky. Thanks for adding a thoughtful, humorous and melodic tone to our tribal gathering of international pilots!”
Audience feedback
“A joyous confection of songs, musings and audience participation. There is no way you will leave this show not feeling happier than went you went in.”
“Brilliant! An engaging and enjoyable way to learn how to take the first step to improving your wellbeing. Thoroughly entertaining and useful!”
“Your songs, charm, and uplifting message are great!”
If you’re a venue / festival programmer, a community committee looking for something different, or a library or a school, please get in touch: info@artisan-creative.com
We have toured throughout the UK, Europe and US with our shows:
Germany, London, North Carolina, West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Tyne and Wear, Worcestershire, Cumbria, Devon, Edinburgh, Hertfordshire, Derbyshire, Dorset, Northumberland, Lincolnshire, Middlesex, Salford, Berkshire, East Sussex, Dumfries and Galloway.
Are you a organisation looking for company away day ideas or team-building activities?
How To Survive and Thrive in an Impossible World - with a piano! for organisations brings wellbeing to the fore: a very different, fun, energising way to build resourcefulness in your staff or team - developing their ‘natural resilience’.
Participant feedback
“Incredible. It was inspiring and positive. I have downloaded your book already! I believe that it is such an important part of my role as "Wellbeing Lead" to highlight and point people in the general direction of wisdom, help or advice. I feel you have offered all three.”
Andy Allen, Consultant Anaesthetist, University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust