A Line-Up Featuring Timeless Classics, New Writing and Festive Family Shows

Theatre by the Lake (TBTL) announces its Autumn/Winter 2024 season, offering a varied mix of classic plays, new writing, festive family fun, and a celebration of Cumbrian talent. TBTL will turn 25 this summer, and the theatre has big plans ahead, which they’ll be announcing soon. Embarking on their 25th year, this season promises something for everyone, ensuring memorable experiences for all ages and tastes.

Opening the autumn programme is Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, which will captivate audiences with its intense, vibrant tale of love and fate. Presented by Shakespeare North Playhouse and Graeae Theatre Company in association with TBTL, this production is performed by a professional ensemble of Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent actors, and seamlessly weaves BSL, Captions and Audio Description into the storytelling. Romeo and Juliet runs from 12 – 26 October.

In the Studio, TBTL presents the world premiere of Steel by Lee Mattinson. Set in and inspired by growing up in Workington, Steel tells the story of two lads on a town-wide treasure hunt for a contract that could change everything. Steel will run from 3 – 19 October, before embarking on a West Coast community tour.

Steel is the headline production for the TBTL’s inaugural new writing festival, CumbriaFest. With a focus on great stories created in and inspired by our remarkable county, CumbriaFest showcases the local theatre makers that TBTL have supported since establishing their artist development network, Cumbrian Creatives in 2020.

The festival kicks off with The Dreamtime Fellrunner by Julie Carter, a poetic exploration of Julie’s’ fellrunning life running from 18 – 21 September, and also includes a series of one night shows, workshops and social events. Every CumbriaFest ticket sold donates £1 to supporting developing artists in Cumbria.

This Christmas, journey into the heart of the jungle as TBTL presents Jessica Swales’ magical stage adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. This festive production will feature loveable characters, catchy music and charming puppetry, bringing the beloved story of friendship and belonging to life in a way that will delight both young and old. The Jungle Book runs from 15 November – 15 January.

Pre-schoolers and their families can enjoy a fun Christmas show in the relaxed, intimate setting of the Studio. Tinsel is the tale of a magical little boy who dreams of being the fairy on top of the Christmas tree, and is full of original live music, puppetry and raucous storytelling. Tinsel runs from 10 – 28 December.

Liz Stevenson, Artistic Director and Joint CEO of TBTL said: “This season kicks off our 25th anniversary year, which will celebrate the past, present and future of Theatre by the Lake. We’re excited to be working with theatre companies and artists from across the UK and exceptional local Cumbrian talent to share both new stories and classic stories being told in a new way. I’m particularly proud to be directing Steel, which was commissioned by TBTL and will play to audiences here in Keswick and across the Cumbrian West Coast. Between The Jungle Book and Tinsel, our festive family offer is sure to bring joy to the young and the young at heart. We’ll be announcing more about our anniversary in the coming months, keep your eyes peeled.”

TBTL’s new programme is also packed with a fantastic line-up of one-nighters. There’s an evening of wit and wisdom with the much-treasured poet, Pam Ayres (24 September), get ready for laughs with comedian and television personality Dom Joly (26 September), and relive the swinging sounds of the 60s with the legendary Herman’s Hermits (19 September).

Last, but certainly not least, TBTL are proud to welcome the local creative community too, and this season includes Keswick Cricket Club’s fundraiser, Bye Bye Baby, a tribute to the Jersey Boys (5 October), a Keswick Rotary’s The Jive Aces (2 November), and the return of Keswick Theatre Club with the stage adaptation of the much-loved classic, It’s A Wonderful Life (27 – 30 November).

Tickets for Theatre by the Lake’s Autumn/Winter 2024 season go on public sale on Fri 31 May. For more information and to book your tickets, please visit theatrebythelake.com or contact the Box Office on 017687 74411.