Theatre by the Lake announces Summer/Winter 2026 season with powerful new drama, the return of a contemporary classic and an unmissable programme of theatre, comedy and family entertainment

Leading the season are two productions directed by Theatre by the Lake’s (TBTL) Artistic Director and Joint CEO Liz Stevenson: the world premiere of The Farmer’s Wife by Hannah Khalil, inspired by Helen Rebanks’ bestselling memoir and the return of Duncan Macmillan’s acclaimed Every Brilliant Thing, following its celebrated 2023 production in Keswick and tour across Cumbria.

Alongside Nell Gwynn, Calendar Girls – the Musical and A Christmas Carol, these two new shows complete the 2026 line-up of TBTL productions. To accompany this, the venue announces a specially curated programme of visiting work spanning plays, comedy, music, storytelling and more, some of which venture outside of the usual Main House and Studio spaces.

Members’ bookings open on Tuesday 26 May, with public booking opening on Tuesday 2 June.

The Farmer’s Wife

Friday 18 September – Sunday 11 October 2026

Inspired by Helen Rebanks’ Sunday Times bestselling memoir, this new play is written by award-winning playwright Hannah Khalil. The Farmer’s Wife is a moving and deeply human story, set in the heart of rural Cumbria.

Following a day in the life of three women across different generations, living and working on their family farm, the production explores invisible labour, resilience, love and the realities of sustaining both family and land. Funny, raw and profoundly affecting, it shines a light on the women whose stories are so often left untold.

Every Brilliant Thing

Wednesday 12 August – Saturday 5 September 2026

Duncan Macmillan’s internationally celebrated play, co-written with Jonny Donahoe, is an uplifting and intimate exploration of mental health, hope and the small things that make life worth living.

The production returns at a moment of renewed attention for the play internationally, following the recent West End and Broadway resurgence. The Stage award-nominated TBTL production returns for a limited Studio run, followed by a Cumbrian tour.

Full Christmas Line-Up Announced

To complement A Christmas Carol in the Main House, there are two incredible shows for younger families in the Studio, suitable for ages 3+. A Town Called Christmas (Tue 8 – Sun 27 December) is a magical festive family adventure following Clementine as she discovers a forgotten town where stories, music and imagination might save Christmas. Pinocchio (Mon 28 December – Sun 3 January) is a playful and inventive adaptation using puppetry, shadow play and live music to retell the classic story.

Christmas is not just for the kids though; the lead-up to Christmas also contains a range of shows for the grown-ups. Big Fish Extravaganza (Thu 26 November) is a celebratory night of Cumbrian comedy, featuring top local talent and award-winning comedians bringing joy to the Main House. Whispers of the Winter Hearth: Tales for the Longest Night (Tue 1 – Fri 4 December) is an atmospheric evening of winter myths and storytelling performed by candlelight in the Circle Gallery. A Dickens of a Christmas (Wed 2 – Sat 5 December) Peter Macqueen performs festive dramatic readings from Charles Dickens’ best-loved Christmas stories.

Now on sale for 2026

Further to the above, TBTL’s new season features an eclectic line-up of visiting work across the Main House and Studio:

The Irish House Party (Thu 4 June) – An authentic evening of Irish music, dance and storytelling celebrating the warmth and humour of a traditional Irish house party.

By A Lady – The Life & Wit of Jane Austen (Tue 9 June) – Rachel Parris and Doon Mackichan bring Jane Austen’s life and characters to life through comedy, music and her own writing.

Edwina Hayes (Thu 11 and Fri 12 June) – Acclaimed singer-songwriter Edwina Hayes blends folk, Americana and Northern storytelling in an intimate live performance.

Brighouse and Rastrick Band (Sun 14 June) – One of the world’s most celebrated brass bands performs an entertaining concert of championship-standard music.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Tue 16 – Thu 18 June) – A fast-paced and hilarious parody racing through all of Shakespeare’s plays.

Whispers of the Summer Breeze: Tales for the Longest Day (Tue 16 – Thu 18 June) – A quite literally lakeside storytelling experience, inspired by global myths and traditions surrounding the sun and midsummer.

Avalon Comedy Night (Thu 25 June) – A stand-up showcase featuring top emerging comedians, led by headline act Carl Hutchinson.

Herman’s Hermits (Fri 26 June) – The legendary 1960s pop group performs a nostalgic evening of classic chart hits.

Big Fish Fringe Fest (Sat 25 July) – A mini comedy fringe festival previewing four Edinburgh Fringe shows before they hit the festival circuit.

A Brief Case of Crazy (Wed 30 September and Thu 1 October) – A visually inventive comedy inspired by the timeless humour of Mr Bean, Chaplin and Buster Keaton.

Monstering the Rocketman (Fri 2 October) – A dramatic and darkly comic retelling of Elton John’s explosive libel battle with The Sun newspaper.

Solve-Along-A Murder-She-Wrote (Sun 18 October) – An interactive screening where audiences compete to solve a classic Murder, She Wrote mystery.

The Picture of Dorian Gray (Tue 20 – Sat 24 October) – A stylish stage adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic tale of vanity, corruption and hidden darkness.

Off Grid (Thu 22 October) – Sam Danson’s new comedy explores generational divides, technology and reluctant wild camping.

Big Fish Comedy Club (Fri 23 October) – A relaxed club night showcasing standout comedians from the North West and beyond.

In the Land of Eagles (Tue 27 October) – A powerful solo performance exploring identity, heritage and making peace with the past.

Rob Rouse: Funny Bones (Thu 29 October) – Award-winning comedian Rob Rouse delivers energetic stand-up packed with stories and one-liners.

Michael Rosen: NICE! (Thu 29 October) – Michael Rosen celebrates his 80th birthday with poetry, stories and brand-new work for all ages.

Anyone for Tennis? (Fri 30 October) – Former Wimbledon line judge Pauline Eyre shares behind-the-scenes tennis stories and comedy anecdotes.

Before the Lights Go Out (Sat 31 October) – A candlelit evening of unsettling ghost stories told through the power of live storytelling alone.

Rachel Davis and Darren McMullen (Thu 19 November) – Award-winning musicians Rachel Davis and Darren McMullen perform Celtic and contemporary folk music.

Breakages (Fri 20 & Sat 21 November) – Three darkly comic monologues explore obsession, invisibility and the fragile realities of modern life.

The season also celebrates TBTL’s ongoing commitment to local artists and communities through performances and events from community groups, writers and regional creatives:

Rock the City (Fri 5 – Sat 6 June) – A large-scale charity gala concert featuring rock and pop favourites performed by local group, Committed2Rock Community Choir. 

North Cumbria Scriptwriters (Sat 13 June) – Professional actors workshop and perform extracts from new scripts by local writers. 

Nascendance (Sat 27 June) – An energetic dance showcase featuring performers from MG Dance Academy, from age 3 to adults across multiple dance styles.

Just Desserts (Wed 14 – Sat 17 October) – Derwentwater Drama Group bring three short plays by Alan Ayckbourn and Jean McConnell exploring love, food and infidelity.

The Simon & Garfunkel Story (Sat 17 October) – Keswick Rotary Club present a charity concert supporting the Air Ambulance and Dementia Support Initiative. This version of the acclaimed tribute show has been seen by more than 5 million people worldwide.

The Odd Couple (Wed 25 – Sat 28 November) – Neil Simon’s classic comedy follows two mismatched friends who share a flat. Brought to life by Keswick Theatre Club. 

“It’s so exciting to be directing two productions headlining this new season. The Farmer’s Wife has been a long time in the making, so we are beyond excited to finally share this news with our audiences. It has been a joy and a privilege for Hannah and I to spend time with Helen Rebanks and other Cumbrian women in agriculture, to tell this new local story that has global resonance.

We are proud to revive our production of Every Brilliant Thing, following its success in 2023. We look forward to welcoming back the original creative team and performer to remount the production in our intimate Studio theatre, before touring it to communities across Cumbria. 

As ever, we’re proud to present some of the nation’s best theatre, music, comedy and everything in between, so there really is something for everyone”– Liz Stevenson, Artistic Director & Joint CEO.

For tickets and full programme information visit here.