THE dreaded crunch needn’t mean doom and gloom this summer. With fabulous events taking place around the rural Artsreach circuit, you can experience a wide range of high quality arts right on your doorstep in Dorset at very affordable ticket prices.

There are some familiar faces performing this summer, as well as some new companies visiting Dorset.

Miracle Theatre will be celebrating their 30th anniversary with an open-air tour of Molière’s classic Tartuffe.

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School bring Tess of the d’Urbervilles back to its rural Dorset roots.

Kicking off the Artsreach programme with a special one-off performance, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s contemporary ensemble Kokoro perform at Bourton Village Hall on Saturday, April 25 April (01747 840328).

The Methera string quartet returns to Dorset for a concert at Powerstock Church on Bank Holiday weekend.

Artsreach spokeswoman Delphine Jones said: “Methera is a unique ensemble, a string quartet with roots firmly planted in English traditional dance music.“

“These four young string musicians combine a deep knowledge of traditional music with a wide range of other influences and expertise and a fine sense of musical interaction. Newly composed pieces sit alongside timeless traditional material.

"Their music is both sophisticated and earthy, groundbreaking and familiar, enchanting and thrilling. Powerstock Church will provide a beautiful acoustic to enjoy this quartet at their best.”

May also welcomes the Alec Dankworth Quintet who will be performing ‘Spanish Accents’ at Portesham Village Hall and Gillingham School.

Bassist Alec Dankworth’s long-standing love of all things Spanish provided the inspiration for this concert. His new quintet plays jazz with a Spanish flavour.

Fifteen-piece band The Destroyers, who specialise in ‘madcap Balkan music’ come to Evershot and Portesham in early August. With massed ranks of fiddles, brass, vocals and much more besides, their blazing passion onstage has taken London’s Barbican, and festivals including Glastonbury, Sidmouth and Larmer Tree by storm.

In June the Tashi-Lhunpo Monks of Tibet visit rural Dorset, with their ‘Power of Compassion’ tour while Siyaya visits Dorset, direct from Bulawayo. Colourful, climactic and bursting at the seams with energy, and sweet, a cappella harmonies, this Zimbabwean song, dance and drum troupe’s rousing music and tightly choreographed dance transcends the language barrier.

Pretty Good Girl Dance Theatre Company will be performing at Gillingham School and in addition to the performance programme, Artsreach will be holding a range of creative summer workshops for young people. The theme will be Go Global!

For further details, call 01305 269512, pick up a brochure or visit artsreach.co.uk