As the country moves to recovery, arts venues nationwide have been planning, adapting, creating, and delivering.
Liz Stevenson, artistic director at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick, explains what it’s been like working in a whole new way, and what comes next.
“Looking back to spring 2020, I’d been in Cumbria less than a year and I’d just created my first season at TBTL. Suddenly, we had to cancel all future productions with no idea about what would come next. It was devastating to close the doors without knowing when they would open again. I wrote an open letter to our community:
'I want to assure you that we will, indeed, be back. We don’t know when, we don’t know how yet, but what we do know is that when we come back, the world will be different. Theatre by the Lake will be different.'
"Despite the theatre doors staying closed, behind the scenes, we have stayed true to this sentiment.
"Over the past year, with the support of Arts Council England, DCMS, and our loyal supporters, we have been busy preparing the building for re-opening, developing a new vision and plan, and delivering a new programme of work to re-engage our audiences. We launched an entirely digital programme, Spark designed to spark new ideas, connections, collaborations and new ways of making work.
"First off, we had The Climbers by Carmen Nasr, one of three rehearsed readings of new plays.
"Assemble Here was created by theatre directors Fay Lomas and Taio Lawson, sound designer Mark Melville and five Cumbrian playwrights. Our Scratch Night Open Space saw theatre-makers share and test work in front of a digital audience. Our Cumbrian Creatives network, set up during lockdown, now has more than 250 members.
"We got to know our local creative young people, we delivered online theatre-making workshops with 14- to 18-year-olds from across the county.
"As well as creating our own digital work, we shared the work of others that we admire.
"More than 70 freelance artists have been employed, almost 1,500 tickets sold, we’ve live captioned and BSL interpreted digital events for the first time, and we’ve entertained people, gathering a wealth of learning along the way that will inform our future.
"So, what’s next?
"‘Going digital’ has opened up so many new possibilities for us that we’ll definitely be retaining some element—but we’ll also be turning curiosity and creativity to our surroundings and outdoor spaces. In August, we’ll be partnering with ETT to deliver Trailer Story, an outdoor festival delivered from a wagon that will be parked on Crow Park. We’ll also be taking TBTL out and about, working with Barrow-born theatre maker Ruth Mary Johnson to deliver storytelling workshops for kids and families. Watch our web site and social media channels for updates.
"And finally, I’m delighted to be back in rehearsals for my first production as artistic director. Home I’m Darling by Laura Wade is the perfect way to welcome back audiences."