Keswick floats boatload of work

Theatre by The Lake in Keswick has an ambitious programme of work reprising shows originally planned for 2020’s cancelled season, as well as a whole raft of new collaborations.

With an emphasis on nature and sense of place, the season includes a world première, award-winning directors and a record number of collaborations with other leading Northern theatres—as well as a return to theatre-in-the-round.

A sense of place and natural surroundings feature heavily in the new season, kicking off with SWIM by Liz Richardson, showing in the Studio in March. Liz grew up in the Lake District and has written an ode to the healing power of nature and outdoor swimming after her community was rocked by tragedy. SWIM will embark on a rural and UK tour following its TBTL run.

The Main House season starts late February with TBTL working with Stockroom's production of The Glee Club by Richard Cameron, a raucous musical comedy about five hard-working, hard-drinking miners and a church organist rehearsing for a local gala.

In April, the venue and Octagon Theatre Bolton co-produce Kes. Adapted by Robert Alan Evans, Ken Loach’s acclaimed British drama about a troubled teenager whose discovery of a hawk’s nest leads him to freedom and heartbreak.

In June, there’s a world première of The Climbers, an exploration of the fascination with mountains, the drive to conquer and the agony of life or death decisions in extreme situations.

From July to September, TBTL with Octagon Theatre Bolton and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse stage a co-production of hit comedy One Man, Two Guvnors.

In autumn, the theatre shifts to in-the-round seating for Emma Rice’s musical adaptation of Brief Encounter.

Finishing the year is The Borrowers, turning the stage into an adventure playground for a tiny cast living beneath the floorboards.