Spring – Summer 2026 Season Launch at Theatre by the Lake

Our reviewer, Ken Powell, adds his thoughts about this line-up at the end.

Feel the rhythm of our new season, Theatre by the Lake unveils 2026 line-up

As of midday, Theatre by the Lake have officially launched their 2026 season, a vibrant programme of productions and visiting shows. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a drama-lover, comedy enthusiast, gig regular or just looking for something to do with the family, this new line-up celebrates the joy and connection that only live entertainment can bring.

Made by Theatre by the Lake

Leading the season are four new TBTL productions, presented in collaboration with a whole host of acclaimed theatrical partners. From the folk songs of Lark Rise to Candleford to the rebellious rhythms of Nell Gwynn, from the uplifting anthems of Calendar Girls The Musical to the ghostly harmonies of A Christmas Carol, the new season invites you to feel the rhythm with stories that sing.

“Joyful and full of spirit, these plays explore determination, wit and solidarity in the face of change, offering stories that are both moving and full of life,” said Julia Samuels, Artistic Director (Maternity Cover). “At Theatre by the Lake, we’re also continuing to grow opportunities for artists, young people and families through our Young Company, Big Days for Tiny Theatre Makers and long-term partnerships with schools across the county. We look forward to welcoming you for a season of theatre that celebrates creativity, warmth and connection”.

Lark Rise to Candleford
26 March – 18 April 2026
A Theatre by the Lake and Watermill Theatre co-production, in association with Hammerpuzzle Theatre Company
This cherished classic follows young Laura’s journey from her rural home to a wider world of possibility. Intertwined with original live folk music and an ensemble cast, it’s a heartfelt story about memory, belonging and finding your voice.

Nell Gwynn
9 July – 1 August 2026
A Theatre by the Lake, Shakespeare North Playhouse and Storyhouse Theatre production
London, 1660. The theatres are alive, the monarchy is restored and one woman is ready to take the stage. Wit, music and mischief await in this joyful, feminist comedy tells the story of Nell Gwynn – actress, trailblazer and royal favourite.

Calendar Girls The Musical
6 August – 5 September 2026
A Theatre by the Lake, Stephen Joseph Theatre, New Wolsey Theatre and Octagon Bolton Theatre production
The iconic true story of the Yorkshire WI women who dared to bare all for charity – transformed into a hit musical by Tim Firth and Gary Barlow. Funny, touching and irresistibly uplifting, it celebrates friendship, courage and community spirit.

A Christmas Carol
13 November 2026 – 2 January 2027
A Theatre by the Lake production in association with Goblin
THE festive favourite returns in a dazzling new adaptation, filled with song, laughter and a dash of supernatural wonder. As Scrooge faces the spirits of Christmas past, present and future, audiences are invited to experience the joy of the season at this delightfully spooky Carol service – unlike any other.

Full programme at a glance

February 

• The Bubble Show 2: More Bubbles (16 Feb): A spectacular show for families, full of wonder, colour, imagination and of course, bubbles.
• It Walks Around the House at Night (20–21 Feb): A chilling theatrical horror from ThickSkin.
• 100 Years Celebration of Laurel and Hardy (26 Feb): Neil Brand brings the silent comedy legends to life.
• Banff Mountain Film Festival (27–28 Feb): Experience an evening of thrilling adventure on the big screen.

March

• Words by the Water (11–15 Mar): Join them in celebrating their 25^th year of sharing words and ideas at Theatre by the Lake.
• Lark Rise to Candleford (26 Mar – 18 Apr)

April

• Love & Other Misunderstandings (8–11 Apr): Keswick Theatre Club present three short plays from Chekhov, Feydeau and G.B. Shaw.
• Holmes and Watson and the Case of the Masked Magician (17 Apr): Attempt to solve the mystery, whilst enjoying some mind-bending magic.

May

• Spitfire Girls (12–16 May): Returning to TBTL due to popular demand, a moving story inspired by real women who flew in WWII.
• The Manfreds (23 May): Featuring original members Paul Jones and Tom McGuiness and an outstanding band, Get Your Kicks On Tour ’26.

June

• Destination Live: Bowie (13 Jun): An 11-piece live band of session musicians shine for one evening, spanning five decades of Bowie’s hits.
• The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (16–18 Jun): The Reduced Shakespeare Company bring their hilariously rapid-fire roundup of all 37 plays.

July – September

• Nell Gwynn (9 Jul – 1 Aug)
• Calendar Girls The Musical (6 Aug – 5 Sep)

November – January

• A Christmas Carol (13 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027)

Beyond the main house

• Every Brilliant Thing (Dates TBC): The award-winning, uplifting play about finding joy in small things will be venturing out once again for 2026 – following the 2025 UK Theatre Award-winning tour of Steel.
• Theatre by the Lake Young Company (from January 2026): Following the success of Company 25 this year, this group will see young creatives come together to explore making new theatre.
• Tiny Theatre Makers (from January 2026): The new season brings with it ongoing playful sessions for babies, toddlers, children under 4 and their families.

Book Now

Tickets are on sale now via theatrebythelake.com or through the Box Office at 017687 74411.
Join us on the shores of Derwentwater for a season that will make you feel the rhythm of theatre once more.

Ken Powell adds…

I was delighted to attend the unveiling of the 2026 season at Theatre by the Lake (TBTL) yesterday. There’s always a buzz of excitement when your theatre announces what’s coming next, but it is also a joy to chat with the team behind the choices. TBTL unfailingly has the nicest staff in the theatre world. From the volunteer gentleman at the door who kindly ushered us to our seats after we arrived rather late to the presentation, to the Artistic Director Julia Samuels who positively bounces with enthusiasm, TBTL has a feel of being family rather than having an aloof, indifferent nature that some theatres can be guilty of.

That sense of family comes through in their incredible community work. They’ve brought back Every Brilliant Thing from two years ago and put it on tour. I can’t stress enough just how life-affirming this joyous production is (click the link to read my review). If you missed it – see it. TBTL also hosts at least three festivals and is the venue of choice for several, high quality, amateur theatre companies. I’m particularly looking forward to Love & Other Misunderstandings by Keswick Theatre Club in April. On top of that, TBTL has had a long tradition of encouraging young people into the theatre both as audience members and as performers. The Theatre by the Lake Young Company starts in January, aiming to help teenagers explore theatre every Wednesday night – what an amazing opportunity!

Another return – I understand this is because it was so much in demand last time – is Spitfire Girls. I may have to see this again, despite reviewing it not long ago. If you love World War Two historicals, this will be absolutely up your street!

Of the main productions headlining the season, I’m very keen to see Nell Gwynn. This sounds like a lot of fun and fun is something TBTL does wonderfully well. I’ve never seen a dud comedy there. I’m also intrigued to see Calendar Girls – and, no, I don’t mean ‘see’ in that sense! That said, the team have apparently wondered how to pull this off (pun intended) ‘in the round’ – something TBTL’s main theatre sets up fantastically on a regular basis. It will be interesting to see how the team prevent the necessary scenes of the story from steaming up the spectacles of some of the older members of the audience! Ambulances on stand-by, I think…

While Northern Arts Review always give independent and honest reviews, we are staffed by a small army of theatre lovers – and unashamedly so. It’s hard not to get attached to theatres you regularly visit. I’ve adored TBTL for at least twenty years and that love affair doesn’t seem to be waning any time soon. If you’re Cumbrian and you’ve not stepped inside (in a while, or at all), I urge you to do so. The 2026 season is an ideal time to get stuck in. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Ken Powell is chief editor for Northern Arts Review and is also a bestselling author and writer for various publications around the world. A former school teacher, he continues to write educational books along with fiction and travelogues. You can find all his books and various websites here including his popular TEDx talk about the Global Village. He lives with his family in a wonderfully isolated village in West Cumbria where he enjoys drinking tea, chatting with the birds and winding up his dog. You can support his work (or just buy him a coffee) here.