Theatre by the Lake cancels summer season

Published: 31 March 2020
Reporter: David Chadderton

Liz Stevenson

Keswick's Theatre by the Lake, which has been closed since 17 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has decided to cancel its summer season, due to run from 21 May to 31 October.

The summer season was to include revivals of Boeing Boeing and Rope plus four world premières: The Climbers by Carmen Nasr, Wilt by Kieran Knowles, These Walls by Laura Lomas and Drown Your Empty Selves by Joseph Wilde.

Artistic Director Liz Stevenson said, “this was an upsetting decision to make but the only option available to us in the current circumstances. The considerable work needed to prepare for our celebrated and complex rep season, together with the significant costs involved, presents too great a risk during a time of such huge upheaval and uncertainty.

“Our ultimate aim is to ensure that we continue to be Cumbria's producing theatre. We’re asking ticket-holders to donate the cost of their ticket to support the theatre at this time, and are so grateful to the many people who have already done so—especially as we are aware that this is a difficult time for so many of you. Our audiences and community are what make our theatre special and we want to say a massive thank you for your support and patience. We’re looking forward to welcoming you back just as soon as we can, and we are working out creative ways of working with you, our community, until then.”

As the theatre is currently closed, ticket requests cannot be processed until the box office has reopened, but urgent enquiries are being monitored by theatre staff at [email protected]. Contact with all advance ticket holders will resume once the theatre reopens. Donations to the theatre can be made online.

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