Theatre by the Lake Celebrates 25 Years of Volunteers

Theatre by the Lake proudly hosted its inaugural Volunteer Celebration Evening as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, honouring the invaluable contributions of its volunteer community. The event, held at the theatre’s beautiful location in Keswick, provided a special opportunity to reflect on the theatre’s rich history and the vital role volunteers have played in its success since opening night 25 years ago.

The event saw the theatre’s volunteer community – some of whom have been involved since the theatre’s doors first opened 25 years ago, and some at the Century Theatre before that – come together to commemorate the incredible difference they make year after year.

Guests were greeted by a red-carpet entrance and a welcome reception in the theatre’s Spotlight bar, before moving through to the Main House where they enjoyed an evening of recognition, camaraderie, and celebration. Volunteers received specially designed pin badges celebrating their length of service, with some receiving bespoke recognition awards across a variety of categories.

“We just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to all who joined us for Theatre by the Lake’s Volunteer Celebration Evening 2025, and to each and every volunteer who has supported us over the years” said Simon Stephens, Executive Director and Joint CEO of Theatre by the Lake. “It truly was a special evening, fill with memories, happiness, and spirit. Our volunteers create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for our audience’s day in, day out, and that same infectious energy lit up the room at our celebration evening. It was wonderful to take a moment together to celebrate everything our volunteers do.”

The evening also featured stunning performances from Penrith Town Band, whose uplifting music provided a fitting opening and closing to the event. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and appreciation as volunteers were celebrated for their dedication and service to the theatre.

Theatre by the Lake, which opened its doors in August 1999, has remained deeply embedded in the heart of Keswick, and its volunteer community has been crucial in helping the venue thrive. The evening served as a reminder of the significant impact volunteers have had in maintaining the theatre’s success and shaping its legacy in the Cumbria.

“We are endlessly grateful for your dedication and service to the theatre,” added Jo Mills, part of the organising team and a host for the night. “Your commitment makes such a difference, and this event was our small way of saying thank you for the incredible support you give us. We hope you enjoyed the evening, and we look forward to making this the first of many annual Volunteer Celebration Evenings.”

If you’d like to find out more about volunteering at Theatre by the Lake, please email CustomerExperience@theatrebythelake.com