Welcome to Theatre by the Lake for another exciting season of unforgettable theatre.
We are delighted to present the world premiere of The Farmer’s Wife, a powerful new play by Hannah Khalil inspired by Helen Rebanks’ memoir. Set in the heart of a Cumbrian farm, it offers a deeply human portrait of three generations of women, exploring the invisible labour, resilience and love that sustain both family and land. By turns humorous and heartbreaking, it captures the rhythms of rural life and the strength it takes to keep going when everything feels on the brink.
We’re thrilled to bring back Every Brilliant Thing, a life-affirming and beautifully intimate piece of theatre that celebrates the small joys that make life worth living. Funny, honest and profoundly uplifting, this much-loved production invites audiences to reflect, connect and find hope in unexpected places. Following a run in our studio the show will tour to communities across Cumbria.
Our Summer season begins with a revival of Nell Gwynn – winner of the 2016 Olivier Award for Best Comedy. Brimming with music, wit, warmth and an aesthetic that channels the pure luxury of the Restoration period. Telling the story of one of theatre’s most famous leading ladies, it’s a joyous celebration of love, ambition and the power of performance.
Calendar Girls: The Musical brings with it a soundtrack of pure sunshine, with music and lyrics penned by the Gary Barlow. Starting with our co-producers in Scarborough, this spirited show journeys across the Pennines to tell the inspiring true story of a group of women who achieve something extraordinary. Filled with laughter, friendship and poignant moments, this vibrant re-telling will make your heart soar.
Our festive family programme offers magical experiences for audiences of all ages. In the main house, join us for A Christmas Carol, a timeless tale of redemption and generosity brought to life by Goblin Theatre (The Lost Spells). Alongside this, A Town Called Christmas promises a joyful and intimate theatrical treat, perfect for even the newest theatre lovers, as young as 3.
This season has something for everyone –from Cumbrian stories to musical joy and traditional festive magic. We can’t wait to welcome you along to this programme of inspiring, entertaining and unforgettable theatre.
At last, an Irish music show from Ireland without clichés. No costumes or backing tracks - just talented musicians and dancers in an intimate setting. Live music, dancing and banter quickly captivate. Featuring champion performers, it blends audience interaction with stories. Created in Dublin, it captures the warmth, humour, and spirit of a true Irish house party.
Hambletts Productions
BY A LADY - THE LIFE & WIT OF JANE AUSTEN
TUESDAY 9 JUNE, 7:30PM
Tickets: £35 / £12 U26s
Actress, writer and comedian Doon Mackichan to join Rachel Parris
Jane Austen’s life story from her own writing, woven with favourite moments from the immortal characters she created, set against a sparkling musical backdrop.
EDWINA
HAYES
STUDIO
THURSDAY 11 & FRIDAY 12 JUNE, 7:30PM
Tickets: £16 / £12 U26s
One of the finest female singer-songwriters this country has produced in years. Edwina brings together English folk, Americana and the rich Northern singersongwriter tradition to create a sound that’s truly her own. She’s toured with such notable performers as Jools Holland, Van Morrison, Nanci Griffith and Loudon Wainwright III.
BRIGHOUSE AND RASTRICK BAND
SUNDAY 14 JUNE, 3PM
Tickets: £30 / £25 / £12 U26s
Regarded by many as the best and most consistent ‘public subscription band’ in the world, the fabled brass band presents a highly entertaining concert.
The band boasts a formidable reputation; in its time the majority of premier band championships have been held by ‘Briggus’, most recently becoming the 2022 British Open and Brass in Concert Champions.
The Theatre Chipping Norton and Selladoor Worldwide present Reduced Shakespeare Company in
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED)
TUESDAY 16 – THURSDAY 18 JUNE
Tickets: £27 / £12 U26s
A fast, furious and gloriously absurd sprint through all of the Bard’s tragedies, comedies and histories.
WHISPERS OF THE SUMMER BREEZE: TALES FOR THE LONGEST DAY
TUESDAY 16 - THURSDAY 18 JUNE
Tickets: £14 / £12 U26s
A traditional storytelling evening, with tales inspired by indigenous cultures from across the world, each exploring a different relationship with the sun.
Avalon Comedy Network
AVALON COMEDY NIGHT
THURSDAY 25 JUNE, 8PM
Tickets: £16 / £12 U26s
Your Edinburgh Fringe comedy warm up with headliner, Carl Hutchinson, opening comic, Hannah Platt and MC, Raul Kohli.
Come and unwind; gather your friends, grab a drink from the bar, and escape into a night of hilarity with the hottest up-and-coming comedians on the circuit.
HERMAN’S
HERMITS
FRIDAY 26 JUNE, 7:30PM
Tickets: £29 / £12 U26s
With 23 hit records, selling over 84 million copies, multi-million streams and downloads, the legendary sixties pop band bring you a repertoire of classic hits, such as ‘I’m into Something Good’, ‘Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter and ‘There’s a Kind of Hush’. Herman’s Hermits is a must-see act for any fan of sixties pop music.
BIG FISH FRINGE FEST
SATURDAY 25 JULY, 1PM, 3PM, 6PM & 8PM
Tickets: £15 / £12 U26s
The first Big Fish Comedy (mini) Fringe Festival will showcase four comics performing their hour-long shows ahead of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer. See them now before they’re famous!
Keep an eye on our website for line-up announcements.
by Chris Payne
NELL GWYNN
By Jessica Swale | Directed by Bryony Shanahan
THURSDAY 9 JULY –SATURDAY 1 AUGUST
A Theatre by the Lake, Shakespeare North Playhouse and Storyhouse Theatre production
Content Advice: This production includes adult themes, sexual references, strong language, and depictions of violence, as well as references to death and historical sexism.
Tickets:
Band 1: from £43
Band 2: from £38.50
Band 3: from £28
Band 4: from £12
London, 1660. The theatres are alive, the monarchy restored, and women are finally allowed on stage. One woman is about to take it by storm.
Orange-seller, wit and trailblazer, Nell Gwynn knows what she wants. From the rowdy pit of Drury Lane to the court of Charles II, her rise as one of Britain’s first actresses is bold, funny and defiant.
Bursting with mischief, music and flair, Nell Gwynn is a riotous celebration of performance and women who won’t behave.
Join us at Theatre by the Lake for a gloriously funny comedy that asks: why follow the rules when you can rewrite them?
Age guidance: 14+
This show is being presented in the round. See seating plan at the back of the brochure or contact us for more information.
In the Main House.
Audio Described Performance
Saturday 18 July, 2pm
British Sign Language
Interpreted Performance
Thursday 23 July, 2pm
Captioned Performance
Thursday 23 July, 2pm
Relaxed Performance
Tuesday 21 July, 11am
Post Show Discussion
Monday 27 July, 7.30pm
Photography
CALENDAR GIRLS THE MUSICAL
By Tim Firth and Gary Barlow | Directed by Paul Robinson
THURSDAY 6 AUGUSTSATURDAY 5 SEPTEMBER
A Theatre by the Lake, Stephen Joseph Theatre, New Wolsey Theatre and Octagon Bolton Theatre production
A Musical by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth. Originally Produced by David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers and The Shubert Organisation
Based on the play written by Tim Firth and on the motion picture written by Tim Firth and Juliette Towhidi. Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd.
Tickets:
Band 1: from £43
Band 2: from £38.50
Band 3: from £28
Band 4: from £12
When tragedy strikes, courage blossoms.
After the death of a beloved husband, a group of ordinary women in a small Yorkshire Women’s Institute decide to do something extraordinary: create a nude calendar to raise money for charity.
As news spreads through their community, they face unexpected emotional and personal repercussions. Yet the making of the funny, heartfelt calendar brings each woman into bloom.
This true story sparked a global phenomenon, inspiring countless copycat calendars, a record-breaking film, a West End play, and an award-winning musical by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth.
Age guidance: 14+
This show is being presented in the round. See seating plan at the back of the brochure or contact us for more information.
Content Advice: Contains nudity
In the Main House.
Audio Described Performance
Thursday 20 August, 2pm
British Sign Language
Interpreted Performance
Tuesday 25 August, 2pm
Captioned Performance
Tuesday 25 August, 2pm
Relaxed Performance
Tuesday 18 August, 11am
Post Show Discussion
Wednesday 26 August, 7.30pm
by
Photography
Ian Hodgson
by Chris Payne
Photography
EVERY BRILLIANT THING
By Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe
Directed by Liz Stevenson
WEDNESDAY 12 AUGUST – SATURDAY 5 SEPTEMBER
A Theatre by the Lake production
“THE MOST BRILLIANT THING ABOUT LIFE IS THAT IT IS A SHARED EXPERIENCE”
Clare Brennan, The Guardian
Review from the previous TBTL staging in 2023.
TOURING AROUND CUMBRIA FROM 29 SEPTEMBER to 4 OCTOBER 2026
Tickets: £22 / £12 U26s
Content Advice: Addresses aspects of mental health, including depression, self-harm and suicide.
You’re seven years old. Mum’s in hospital. She finds it hard to be happy.
So you start to make a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world. Everything worth living for.
1. Ice cream
2. Water fights
3. Staying up past your bedtime and being allowed to watch TV
And as you grow, so does the list…
Every Brilliant Thing is an honest, uplifting and very funny play about mental health, resilience and the lengths we’ll go to for those we love. Told by a single performer with help from the audience, it creates a unique, shared theatrical experience.
Following a successful run and tour in 2023, Every Brilliant Thing returns to our studio before visiting community spaces across Cumbria.
Age guidance: 14+
This show is being presented in the round. Seats will be sold unreserved.
In The Farmer’s Wife, one day holds a lifetime. Three generations of women from the same family – a daughter, a mother and a grandmother – share a kitchen, their stories overlapping as the past and present sit side by side.
The animals need feeding. The bills need paying. The forms need filling in. The meals need cooking. The vet needs calling. The list never ends.
At the centre of it all is one woman, holding everything together and beginning to wonder how much longer she can.
Inspired by Helen Rebanks’ Sunday Times best-selling memoir and shaped by the voices of women in farming across Cumbria, this new play captures both the beauty and the weight of a life rooted in the land.
By turns honest, moving and surprising, The Farmer’s Wife is a story of resilience and community in a changing world.
Age guidance: 11+
This show is being presented in the round. See seating plan at the back of the brochure or contact us for more information.
In the Main House.
Audio Described Performance
Saturday 3 October, 2pm
British Sign Language
Interpreted Performance
Thursday 8 October, 2pm
Captioned Performance
Thursday 8 October, 2pm
Relaxed Performance
Tuesday 29 September, 11am
Post Show Discussion
Monday 5 October 7.30pm
Skedaddle Theatre & Shoddy Theatre in association with York Theatre Royal
WEDNESDAY 30 SEPTEMBER & THURSDAY 1 OCTOBER, 7:30PM
Tickets: £16 / £12 U26s
Inspired by the timeless genius of Mr Bean, Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, this is a heart-warming and hilarious physical comedy told through slick choreography, mime, clowning and puppetry.
Henry Naylor
MONSTERING THE ROCKETMAN A BRIEF CASE OF CRAZY
FRIDAY 2 OCTOBER, 7.30PM
Tickets: £16 / £12 U26s
When the soaraway Sun newspaper falsely accuses Elton John, 39, of bonking rent boys, the Rocketman blasts off a whopping multimillion lawsuit…
Based on the TRUE STORY of Britain’s largestever libel case, it features Ferraris, punch-ups, gangsters, bugged phone calls, Princess Diana, the Vice Squad and some Devil Dogs.
Theatre by the Lake
OPEN SPACE
TUESDAY 6 OCTOBER, 7.30PM
Tickets: £8
Discover exciting new performance ideas and support local talent as artists share works-indevelopment in front of a live audience.
From spoken word to music, dance to theatre, you never quite know what you’ll see until you arrive. The audience helps shape the work by offering feedback in a relaxed, supportive environment.
Tim
Benzie
SOLVE-ALONG-AMURDER-SHE-WROTE
SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER, 7:30PM
Tickets: £22 / £12 U26s
An interactive screening of the classic Murder, She Wrote episode ‘Paint Me a Murder’. Jessica Fletcher visits the island hideaway of an artist friend, but soon there’s a murder that only she (or you!) can solve!
A unique and hilarious night featuring games, prizes and audience participation, with special permission from NBC Universal Television.
Tilted
Wig
THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY
TUESDAY 20 – SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER
Tickets: £33 / £26 / £12 U26s
This bold new adaptation of the classic novel celebrates Wilde’s dazzling wit and dark imagination. Stylish and unsettlingly thrilling, The Picture of Dorian Gray plunges you into a world where charm is currency and the truth always exacts its price.
Daniel Kitson
THRUM
MONDAY 26 OCTOBER, 8PM
Tickets: £16 / £12 U26s
There’s the sound of somewhere else and the thought of rotting and a hand in bed and deliberately making things much more difficult than they actually need to be.
And.
There’s music throughout, at least two funny voices and upwards of three jokes.
A new comedy show by Daniel Kitson.
Theatre by the Lake
YATTER
TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER, 7.30PM
Tickets: £8
Join us for a relaxed evening of poetry, prose, and performance. Local voices take centre stage, readers to be announced nearer the date. Open mic slots are available – come share your words or simply soak up the stories.
OFF GRID
THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER, 7:30PM
Tickets: £16 / £12 U26s
Imagine being dragged into a wild camping trip with your politically outspoken uncle out of social awkwardness.
No technology allowed. Just beer, fishing rods and jerky.
A new comedy show by Sam Danson, looking at the painful reality of being between the generation that had no internet growing up, and the one that had all the internet…
BIG FISH COMEDY CLUB
FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER, 7:30PM
Tickets: £15 / £12 U26s
Three fabulous comedians hand-picked from the North West scene and beyond bring their freshest jokes to enjoy the unique ‘big fish in a small pond’ experience that Cumbria has to offer. Come and catch the next big thing before they’re (really, really) famous. Hosted by our resident MC: Steph Bradshaw.
IN THE LAND OF EAGLES
TUESDAY 27 OCTOBER, 7.30PM
Tickets: £16 / £12 U26s
Inspired by true events, this multi-award nominated show takes us on an epic journey of heritage across borders, through a country that is too often misunderstood. A story about the lengths we go to, to make amends for the mistakes of our past.
ROB ROUSE:
FUNNY BONES
THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER, 7:30PM
Tickets: £17 / £12 U26s
Recently crowned Comics’ Comic – Best Act of the Year 2025 by the UK Comedy Awards, and star of BBC’s Upstart Crow, 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Friday Night Project and Dave’ s One Night Stand.
A one-man whirlwind who’ll pull you into his craftily spun tall tales with bucketfuls of manic energy and a barrage of brilliant one-liners.
MICHAEL ROSEN: NICE!
THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER, 3PM
Tickets: £16 / £12 U26s
Poetry legend Michael Rosen celebrates his 80th birthday with a brand-new live show. Michael looks back at a lifetime in poetry, performing beloved classics along with neverbefore-heard poems from his new collection Peas On Your Knees.
NICE! Is a show for all ages, from the young to the young at heart.
ANYONE FOR TENNIS?
FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER, 7:30PM
Tickets: £16 / £12 U26s
A Wimbledon line judge for 20 years, comedian Pauline Eyre is ready to spill the Pimms on tennis gossip from the fragrant royal box to the musty locker room, and why line judges are OUT! Expect smashing stories, ace anecdotes and a 40-love letter to the game.
BEFORE THE LIGHTS GO OUT
SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER, 7:30PM
Tickets: £16 / £12 U26s
What the light hears, the dark remembers. Expect stories of devils, demons and those who cross their path. Told without props or effects, these timeless tales rely on the oldest magic: the human voice and the power of imagination, culminating in a haunting journey that lingers long after the final words are spoken.
RACHEL DAVIS AND DARREN MCMULLEN
THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER, 7:30PM
Tickets: £16 / £12 U26s
A fiery blend of Celtic tradition and contemporary folk energy.
With over a decade of international touring and recording as core members of the awardwinning Cape Breton Celtic supergroup Còig, Rachel and Darren are now forging a new path with their latest collaborative project, Home. A thrilling fusion of driving rhythms, haunting melodies and masterful instrumentation.
BREAKAGES
FRIDAY 20 NOVEMBER & SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER, 7:15PM
Tickets: £16 / £12 U26s
Darkly funny and delicately observed, Breakages weaves three related monologues into a portrait of women navigating obsession, loss and invisibility. A lanyard worn to bed, a woman tallying all the precious things she has broken, new body parts emerging: awardwinning local playwright Christine Entwisle captures lives both absurd and painfully real.
GET INVOLVED
We’re proud to welcome our local creative communities, from choirs to musicians, to theatre enthusiasts to young actors treading the boards for the first time.
If you’re a Cumbrian artist from any background or level of experience, then there’s something here for you.
Scan the QR code for more information about; joining our artist network, becoming a volunteer or engaging with our programme of activities for young people.
A Theatre by the Lake production in association with Goblin
Adapted from the book by Charles Dickens | Written by Matt Borgatti Music & Lyrics by Will Dollard & Mary Erskine
Directed by Andy Barry
FRIDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2026 – SUNDAY 3 JANUARY 2027
This Christmas, prepare for a festive tale with a ghostly twist. It’s midnight on Christmas Eve: join a haunted carol service where a spooky choir and the spirits of Christmas race to save Ebenezer Scrooge. A hard-nosed Victorian businessman from Keswick, he has made his fortune in the city but lost all joy. When his former partner Jacob Marley returns from the grave, everything changes. Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol returns to Theatre by the Lake, in a magical, music-filled adaptation by Goblin, featuring original songs performed live by a talented cast of actor-musicians.
Tickets:
Band 1: from £43
Band 2: from £38.50
Band 3: from £28
Band 4: from £12
Age guidance: 6+
In the Main House.
Audio Described Performance
Saturday 5 December, 2pm
British Sign Language
Interpreted Performance
Saturday 12 December, 2pm
Captioned Performance
Saturday 12 December, 2pm
Relaxed Performance
Tuesday 24 November, 11am
Image Design
Sarah Jane Docker
Gala Durham and Wrongsemble
A TOWN CALLED CHRISTMAS
TUESDAY 8 – SUNDAY 27 DECEMBER
Tickets: £15 / £12 U26s Age Guidance: 3+
Far away, beyond the snow, and nestled in a perfect nook you’ll find a town called Christmas…
Clementine dreams of a gingerbread village where chocolate coins are currency, and laughter hangs like baubles in the air! The happiest place on Earth. Or at least it used to be…
Buckle in for a rollercoaster of magic, music, and mayhem as our hero crash-lands in a crumbling town where only the long-forgotten fables, a cantankerous caretaker and a glitching robot remain! Can they save the day, and the town called Christmas?
Indefinite Articles
PINOCCHIO
MONDAY 28 DECEMBER 2026
– SUNDAY 3 JANUARY 2027
Tickets: £15 / £12 U26s Age Guidance: 4+
Steve Tiplady, as Geppetto, uses the objects of a carpenter’s workshop to tell the tale of the puppet that wants to be a real boy, and the puppet-maker who wants to be a real father.
Pinocchio is carved on stage, brushes become a fox and the shadow of two saws transforms into a giant shark. An element of improvisation makes each performance unique to its audience.
Puppetry, shadows, illusion and especially composed music combine to create a show with something for all ages; it’s inventive, visually and verbally witty with a big heart.
BIG FISH EXTRAVAGANZA
THURSDAY 26 NOVEMBER, 7:30PM
Tickets: £15 / £12 U26s
A night that proudly celebrates Cumbrian comedy at its finest.
Topping the bill is an exceptional Cumbrianbased headliner, Saturday Night Live writer and award-winning comedian Chris Cantrill. A three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and winner of Best Comedy Performance at the 2026 BBC Audio Drama Awards.
WHISPERS OF THE WINTER HEARTH:
TALES FOR THE LONGEST NIGHT
TUESDAY 1 - FRIDAY 4 DECEMBER
Tickets: £14 / £12 U26s
An intimate evening of storytelling by candlelight where myth, magic and memory warm the winter chill.
From ancient myths to mysterious winter legends, the storyteller will weave a tapestry of darkness and light, woven with wonder.
A DICKENS OF A CHRISTMAS
WEDNESDAY 2 - SATURDAY 5 DECEMBER
Tickets: £16 / £12 U26s
Mr Pickwick, Gabriel Grub, Uncle Pumblechook, The Haunted Man and of course old Ebenezer are just some of the characters brought to life by Peter Macqueen in this celebration of Charles Dickens’ Christmas stories.
An evening of dramatised readings to make you laugh and to send a chill down your spine…
CIRCLE GALLERY
BACKSTAGE TOURS
Go behind the scenes at Theatre by the LakeBackstage Tours start again this June!
Ever wondered what happens behind the curtain? Now’s your chance to find out!
Our Backstage Tours offer a fascinating peek into the inner workings of Theatre by the Lake - perfect for curious families, theatre lovers and anyone who’s ever dreamed of being on (or behind) the stage.
Explore backstage, visit the wings, step on stage and meet some of the incredible people who bring the magic to life. You’ll hear stories, learn theatre secrets and see the spaces where actors, stage managers and creatives make it all happen.
Book a tour and enjoy these extras on the day:
10% off at the Lakeside Café Restaurant next door – ideal for lunch or a post-tour treat
10% off tickets to any Theatre by the Lake show booked the same day
Whether you’re a regular visitor or it’s your first time through our doors, this is a unique opportunity to see a different side of the theatre.
Please note: Not all backstage areas may be accessible at every tour, due to maintenance and/ or availability.
Did you know...
WHAT WE DO HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT
Theatre by the Lake produces and presents nationally acclaimed theatre, made with passion, for everyone living in and visiting Cumbria. But did you know we also:
• Take professional theatre productions to rural and disadvantaged communities across Cumbria
• Offer free tickets to individuals, young people, and families from disadvantaged backgrounds to come to Theatre by the Lake and experience the joy of live theatre for the first time
• Offer regular Audio Described, BSL interpreted, Captioned and Relaxed Performances at all our in-house shows
• Support local creatives with development, training, networking, and spaces to perform though our Cumbrian Creatives initiative
Become a member
Enjoy ticket discounts, exclusive events, behind-the-scenes experiences and much more
Buy tickets
Every ticket you buy makes a huge difference, thank you for your support
Make a donation
Whether it’s some coins in a bucket, a donation at Box Office, or online, it all helps the work we on stage at TBTL and in communities across Cumbria
Tell a friend about us
The more people we can share the magic of theatre with, the better, and there’s no better ambassador than you!
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
7-day priority booking
No transaction fees
Free ticket exchanges
48-hour cancellation credit
‘Meet the Cast/Creatives’ event invitations
Theatre trips around the UK
Backstage tours
Free ice cream vouchers
Discounts at bar, restaurant and shop
Executive reception invitation
Press night invitations
In-building recognition
Two guest passes
Executive dinner invitation
Committed2Rock Community Choir
ROCK THE CITY
FRIDAY 5 – SATURDAY 6 JUNE, 7:30PM
Tickets: £17
Comprised of singers from all corners of Cumbria, this choir will have you rocking in the aisles at this charity gala concert.
All proceeds go to Theatre by the Lake, Pancreatic Cancer and the Fell Runner buses.
NORTH CUMBRIA SCRIPTWRITERS
SATURDAY 13 JUNE, 10AM – 4PM
Tickets: £12 / Free for NCS Members
Who wouldn’t want their brilliant drama script to be given an outing by experts? Professional actors and director will workshop extracts from scripts by four NCS members. A structured, wide-ranging discussion, audience included, will follow each.
MG Dance Academy
NASCENDANCE
SATURDAY 27 JUNE, 6PM
Tickets: £18 - £16 / £12 U26s
A spectacular showcase featuring talented local performers aged 3 to adult.
From Ballet and Lyrical to Tap, Modern, Commercial and Musical Theatre, this award-winning school presents vibrant group numbers and impressive solos in a celebration of local talent.
“AUTHENTIC AND EXCITING” The Stage
Derwentwater Drama Group
JUST DESSERTS
WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER –
SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER, 7:30PM
Tickets: £16
A trio of hilarious plays by Alan Ayckbourn and Jean McConnell based on the themes of love, infidelity and food:
Between Mouthfuls Cupboard Love
The Kidderminster Affair You’ll leave hungry for more - satisfying in every way!
Keswick Rotary Club
THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY
SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER, 7.30PM
Tickets: £35 - £18
Seen by more than 5 million people worldwide and fresh from their successful European tour, we welcome this Broadway and West End smash hit to Keswick.
The Air Ambulance and our local Dementia Support Initiative will be the main beneficiaries of this Charity concert.
Keswick Theatre Club
THE ODD COUPLE
WEDNESDAY 25 - SATURDAY 28
NOVEMBER, 7:15PM
Tickets: £16 / £12 U26s
Neil Simon’s bittersweet comedy.
At a Trivial Pursuits party in policewoman Olive’s messy flat, five mates become concerned for their friend Florence after she is thrown out by her husband. Fearing the worst, Olive takes her in. But it is not long before Florence’s obsessive cleaning frays on Olive’s nerves and the sparks begin to fly…
YOUR VISIT
BOX OFFICE
017687 74411
HOW TO FIND US
theatrebythelake.com
Address: Theatre by the Lake, Lakeside, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5DJ
Find us a five-minute walk from Keswick town centre.
PARKING
Lakeside Car Park is owned and operated by Cumberland Council and offers pay and display parking (cash and card payments accepted or payment via the MiPermit app). The car park is situated next to the theatre and contains 235 parking bays, 14 disabled spaces and 4 coach bays. Parking after 7pm costs £1.10.
The car park is extremely busy, particularly for matinee performances, with visitors to Derwentwater, Hope Park and Keswick town centre as well as the theatre. We advise planning in advance and arriving in plenty of time before performances.
Further car parks in Keswick can be found at keswick.org/visitor-information/car-parks
MAIN HOUSE
The spectacularly situated Lakeside Cafe Restaurant is nestled between the lake and the theatre and is the perfect place to enjoy breakfast, lunch, coffee and cake, or something more substantial before the show.
A place where menus match the impressive views of Catbells.
View sample menus and reserve a table for dinner at theatrebythelake.com/food or call 017687 81102.
ACCESS
For Made by TBTL shows we offer regular Audio Described, British Sign Language Interpreted, Captioned and Relaxed performances. Please see individual show pages or the diary at the back of this brochure for performance dates and times.
An Access Guide is available on request by emailing enquiries@theatrebythelake.com
To book for an Access performance or to request a copy of this brochure in an alternative format please contact us at: 017687 74411 enquiries@theatrebythelake.com theatrebythelake.com/access
TICKETS FOR DEAF AND DISABLED PEOPLE
Tickets are £12 for Deaf and Disabled customers and their carer, companion or personal assistant*.
*Limitations apply for visiting shows.
HEARING ENHANCEMENT
Auri hearing assistance receivers are available on request or join with your own Auracast TM enabled device. Speak to our Box Office team by phone on 017687 74411 or email enquiries@theatrebythelake.com for advice on the best seats or go to the Access page on our website for further information.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
We have a lift (width 79cm) offering flat level access to all floors and accessible toilets available on every floor. Wheelchair spaces are available in both our Main House and Studio. Please fill in an access registration form before booking online to ensure suitable seats are available or contact our Box Office team.
ASSISTANCE DOGS
Assistance Dogs are welcome in all areas of the theatre. Please contact Box Office for advice on the best place to sit if attending a performance with an Assistance Dog.
RELAXED PERFORMANCES
For every Made by TBTL show, we offer a specially altered performance for people who would benefit from a more relaxed environment. Some alterations are specific to the show, but in general these include quieter sound and calmer lighting, a printed visual story of the show and the doors to the theatre space remaining open so that you can enter and exit at any time. Our Relaxed performances are popular with people who live with Dementia, sensory communication disorders, autism and learning difficulties, as well as people attending the theatre with babies. All tickets for Relaxed performances are £12.
DEMENTIA FRIENDLY
We are a Dementia Friendly building and many of our staff and volunteers are Dementia Friends. We offer familiarisation tours and access packs on request. Email enquiries@theatrebythelake.com to request these.
AUDIO BROCHURE
For every brochure we print, we also produce a corresponding Audio Brochure available to listen to online. For more information on our audio brochures please email enquiries@theatrebythelake.com.
TOUCH TOURS
Touch tours are available to book before our live Audio Described performances. For performances with integrated Audio description there will be several touch tours available to book. Please contact Box Office for more information.
Graeae’s Romeo and Juliet, 2024. Photography by Patch Dolan
TICKETS
Tickets for most shows start at just £12. See each show page for individual prices.
Young People
Tickets for young people and students are £12 for any Made by TBTL shows. This includes children under 16 who are accompanied by an adult, people aged under 26 and people who are in full-time education. Tickets are subject to availability. Presentation of a valid photo ID, student card, 16-25 railcard or driving licence may be required for entry. *Terms and conditions apply.
Schools
School tickets are £12 per person for all shows, plus get one free teacher ticket for every 10 pupils.
Groups
We offer great discounts for groups of 8 or more people. Groups of up to 20 people can book online and the discount will apply automatically. Groups of more than 20 people can book via our dedicated Group Bookings line: 017687 74411 (option 2) or email groupbookings@theatrebythelake.com
Lark Rise to Candleford, 2026. Photography by Pamela Raith.
HOW TO BOOK
BOX OFFICE
Our Box Office is open for in person bookings from 10am Monday to Friday (subject to change) and for phone and in person bookings 12pm-7.30pm (5pm on non-performance days) Monday to Saturday. For Sunday performances, please email (see below) for opening times. For any morning performances, the Box Office opens 30 minutes before the event.
017687 74411
enquiries@theatrebythelake.com
theatrebythelake.com
Booking fee of £2 is charged per transaction (waived for members).
GIFT VOUCHERS
Treat the theatre lover in your life with a voucher they can redeem against any show at Theatre by the Lake. Gift Vouchers are available to buy at Box Office or over the phone.
TICKET PROTECTION
Tickets booked with Theatre by the Lake are non-refundable. Ticket Refund Protection through Secure My Booking will be offered to you when booking. Check our website for Ticket Refund Protection terms and conditions.
RECEIVING YOUR TICKETS
E-Ticket: FREE
By post: £1.50*
Collect from Box Office: £1
*Tickets booked less than 7 days before a performance are not available for postal delivery.
PERFORMANCE TIMES
Please arrive in plenty of time for performances as latecomers may not be admitted.
SPECIAL EFFECTS
Strobe lighting, smoke or stage effects and the smoking of stage-cigarettes or e-cigarettes may be used in productions. These may not be advertised in advance as
they may not be known until the day of the performance. Please speak to our Box Office team by phone on 017687 74411 or email enquiries@theatrebythelake.com if you have any concerns.
CONTENT INFORMATION
Some productions may contain content or themes that some audience members may find upsetting. Wherever possible, these are highlighted on our website and in the theatre on entry.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Discounts
Only one discount per ticket is permitted. Discounts cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. All discounts and offers are subject to availability.
Children
Children aged under 4 will only be permitted to Family Friendly or Relaxed Performances. Booster seats are available on request. Lap Seats or Babe in Arms tickets for babies up to 18 months will not be charged for these shows but must be booked. Performance with a 0+ age guidance will require a purchased ticket for everyone attending. Under 16s must be accompanied at all times. Theatre by the Lake cannot accept responsibility for unaccompanied children.
Data Protection
Theatre by the Lake is committed to protecting your personal information, being transparent about what data we hold and giving you control over how we use it. View our Privacy Policy online at theatrebythelake.com/privacy-policy.
Programme alterations
Every effort is made to avoid alterations to the programme. However, Theatre by the Lake reserves the right to cancel or alter events if this is unavoidable. In this unlikely event, we are committed to contacting all customers in advance wherever possible.
Ticket exchanges and refunds
Theatre by the Lake does not offer refunds unless the event is cancelled. We are happy to exchange tickets up to 48 hours before the event, for another date in the run of the same production. There is a £1.50 fee for this service, this does not apply to TBTL Members.
For information on our refunds and exchanges please contact Box Office on 017687 74411.
All requests for exchanges or changes to an order must be made by the individual that booked the tickets. We are unable to process requests by third parties.
DIARY
JUNE
AD Audio Described
BSL British Sign Language Interpreted ON Opening Night CAP Captioned
PR Preview
PSD Post Show Discussion RP Relaxed Performance
Thu 4 The Irish House Party - UK Tour 7:30pm
Fri 5 Committed2Rock 7:30pm
Sat 6 Committed2Rock 7:30pm
Tue 9 By a Lady - The Life & Wit of Jane Austen 7:30pm
Thu 11 Edwina Hayes 7:30pm STUDIO
Fri 12 Edwina Hayes 7:30pm STUDIO
Sat 13 North Cumbria Scriptwriters 10am-4pm STUDIO
Tue 16 The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) 7:30pm
Whispers of the Summer Breeze 7:30pm LAKESIDE TERRACE
Wed 17 The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) 7:30pm
Whispers of the Summer Breeze 7:30pm LAKESIDE TERRACE
Thu 18 The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) 2pm 7:30pm
Whispers of the Summer Breeze 7:30pm LAKESIDE TERRACE
Thu 25 Avalon Comedy Network 8pm
Fri 26 Herman’s Hermits 7:30pm
Sat 27 Nascendance 6pm
JULY
Thu 9 Nell Gwynn 7:30pm PRE
Fri 10 Nell Gwynn 7:30pm ON
Sat 11 Nell Gwynn 2pm 7:30pm
Mon 13 Nell Gwynn 7:30pm
Tue 14 Nell Gwynn 7:30pm
Wed 15 Nell Gwynn 7:30pm
Thu 16 Nell Gwynn 2pm 7:30pm
Fri 17 Nell Gwynn 7:30pm
Sat 18 Nell Gwynn 2pm AD 7:30pm
Mon 20 Nell Gwynn 7:30pm
Tue 21 Nell Gwynn 11am RP 7:30pm
Wed 22 Nell Gwynn 7:30pm
Thu 23 Nell Gwynn 2pm CAP BSL 7:30pm
Fri 24 Nell Gwynn 7:30pm
Sat 25 Nell Gwynn 7:30pm Big Fish Fringe Festival 1pm & 2pm STUDIO 6pm & 8pm STUDIO
Mon 27 Nell Gwynn 7:30pm PSD
Tue 28 Nell Gwynn 2pm 7:30pm
Wed 29 Nell Gwynn 7:30pm
Thu 30 Nell Gwynn 2pm 7:30pm
Fri 31 Nell Gwynn 7:30pm
AUGUST
Sat 1 Nell Gwynn 7:30pm
Thu 6 Calendar Girls The Musical 7:30pm PRE Fri 7 Calendar Girls The Musical 7:30pm ON
Sat 8 Calendar Girls The Musical 2pm 7:30pm
Mon 10 Calendar Girls The Musical 7:30pm
Tue 11 Calendar Girls The Musical 2pm 7:30pm
Wed 12 Calendar Girls The Musical 7:30pm Every Brilliant Thing 7:30pm STUDIO PRE
Thu 13 Calendar Girls The Musical 2pm 7:30pm Every Brilliant Thing 7:30pm STUDIO PRE
Fri 14 Calendar Girls The Musical 7:30pm Every Brilliant Thing 7:30pm STUDIO PRE PSD
Sat 15 Calendar Girls The Musical 7:30pm Every Brilliant Thing 7:30pm STUDIO ON PSD
Mon 17 Calendar Girls The Musical 7:30pm Every Brilliant Thing 7:30pm STUDIO
Tue 18 Calendar Girls The Musical 11am RP 7:30pm Every Brilliant Thing 2pm STUDIO 7:30pm STUDIO
Wed 19 Calendar Girls The Musical 7:30pm Every Brilliant Thing 7:30pm STUDIO PSD
Thu 20 Calendar Girls The Musical 2pm AD 7:30pm Every Brilliant Thing 2pm STUDIO 7:30pm STUDIO
Fri 21 Calendar Girls The Musical 7:30pm Every Brilliant Thing 7:30pm STUDIO
Sat 22 Calendar Girls The Musical 7:30pm Every Brilliant Thing 7:30pm STUDIO
Mon 24 Every Brilliant Thing 7:30pm STUDIO
Tue 25 Calendar Girls The Musical 2pm CAP BSL 7:30pm Every Brilliant Thing 2pm STUDIO PSD 7:30pm STUDIO
Wed 26 Calendar Girls The Musical 7.30pm PSD Every Brilliant Thing 7:30pm STUDIO
Thu 27 Calendar Girls The Musical 2pm 7:30pm Every Brilliant Thing 2pm STUDIO RP 7:30pm STUDIO
Fri 28 Calendar Girls The Musical 7:30pm Every Brilliant Thing 7:30pm STUDIO
Sat 29 Calendar Girls The Musical 2pm 7:30pm Every Brilliant Thing 7:30pm STUDIO
Mon 31 Calendar Girls The Musical 7:30pm Every Brilliant Thing 7:30pm STUDIO
SEPTEMBER
Tue 1 Calendar Girls The Musical 2pm 7:30pm Every Brilliant Thing 2pm STUDIO 7:30pm STUDIO BSL CAP
Wed 2 Calendar Girls The Musical 7:30pm Every Brilliant Thing 7:30pm STUDIO
Thu 3 Calendar Girls The Musical 2pm 7:30pm Every Brilliant Thing 2pm STUDIO AD 7:30pm STUDIO
Fri 4 Calendar Girls The Musical 7:30pm Every Brilliant Thing 7:30pm STUDIO PSD
Sat 5 Calendar Girls The Musical 2pm 7:30pm
Sat 5 Every Brilliant Thing 7:30pm STUDIO
Fri 18 The Farmer’s Wife 7:30pm PRE
Sat 19 The Farmer’s Wife 7:30pm PRE
Mon 21 The Farmer’s Wife 7:30pm PRE
Tue 22 The Farmer’s Wife 7:30pm PRE
Wed 23 The Farmer’s Wife 7:30pm ON
Thu 24 The Farmer’s Wife 2pm 7:30pm
Mon 28 The Farmer’s Wife 7:30pm
Tue 29 The Farmer’s Wife 11am RP
Wed 30 The Farmer’s Wife 7.30pm A Brief Case of Crazy 7:30pm STUDIO OCTOBER
Thu 1 The Farmer’s Wife 2pm 7:30pm A Brief Case of Crazy 7:30pm STUDIO
Fri 2 The Farmer’s Wife 7:30pm
Fri 2 Monstering the Rocketman 7:30pm STUDIO
Sat 3 The Farmer’s Wife 2pm AD 7:30pm
Mon 5 The Farmer’s Wife 7:30pm PSD
Tue 6 The Farmer’s Wife 7:30pm Open Space 7:30pm STUDIO
Wed 7 The Farmer’s Wife 7:30pm
Thu 8 The Farmer’s Wife 2pm BSL CAP 7:30pm
Fri 9 The Farmer’s Wife 7:30pm
Sat 10 The Farmer’s Wife 2pm 7:30pm
Wed 14 Just Desserts 7:30pm STUDIO
Thu 15 Just Desserts 7:30pm STUDIO
Fri 16 Just Desserts 7:30pm STUDIO
Sat 17 The Simon & Garfunkel Story 7:30pm Just Desserts 7:30pm STUDIO
Sun 18 Solve-along-a Murder She Wrote 7:30pm
Tue 20 The Picture of Dorian Gray 7:30pm Yatter 7:30pm STUDIO
Wed 21 The Picture of Dorian Gray 7:30pm
Thu 22 The Picture of Dorian Gray 2pm 7:30pm
Thu 22 Off Grid 7:30pm STUDIO
Fri 23 The Picture of Dorian Gray 7:30pm Big Fish Comedy Club 7:30pm STUDIO
Sat 24 The Picture of Dorian Gray 2pm 7:30pm
Mon 26 Daniel Kitson 8pm
Tue 27 In the Land of Eagles 7:30pm STUDIO
Thu 29 Michael Rosen: Nice! 3pm Rob Rouse 7:30pm STUDIO
Fri 30 Anyone for Tennis? 7:30pm STUDIO Sat 31 Re-Take That 7:30pm Before the Lights Go Out 7:30pm STUDIO NOVEMBER
Fri 13 A Christmas Carol 7:15pm PRE Sat 14 A Christmas Carol 7:15pm PRE
Mon 16 A Christmas Carol 7:15pm PRE
Tue 17 A Christmas Carol 7:15pm ON
Wed 18 A Christmas Carol 2pm
Thu 19 A Christmas Carol 10.30am Rachel Davis and Darren McMullen 7:30pm STUDIO
Fri 20 A Christmas Carol 10.30am 7:15pm Breakages 7:15pm STUDIO
Sat 21 A Christmas Carol 2pm 7:15pm Breakages 7:15pm STUDIO
Mon 23 A Christmas Carol 10.30am 7:15pm
Tue 24 A Christmas Carol 11am RP
Wed 25 A Christmas Carol 10.30am
The Odd Couple 7:15pm STUDIO
Thu 26 A Christmas Carol 10.30am
The Odd Couple 7:15pm STUDIO
Big Fish Extravaganza 7:30pm
Fri 27 A Christmas Carol 10:30am 7:15pm
The Odd Couple 7:15pm STUDIO
Sat 28 A Christmas Carol 2pm 7:15pm
The Odd Couple 7:15pm STUDIO
DECEMBER
Tue 1 A Christmas Carol 10am & 2pm
A Dickens of a Christmas 7:15pm STUDIO
Whispers of the Winter Hearth - Tales for the Longest Night 7:15pm CIRCLE GALLERY
Wed 2 A Christmas Carol 10am 7:15pm
A Dickens of a Christmas 7:15pm STUDIO
Thu 3 A Christmas Carol 2pm
A Dickens of a Christmas 7:15pm STUDIO
Whispers of the Winter Hearth - Tales for the Longest Night 7:15pm CIRCLE GALLERY
Fri 4 A Christmas Carol 10:30am
A Dickens of a Christmas 7:15pm STUDIO
Whispers of the Winter Hearth - Tales for the Longest Night 7:15pm CIRCLE GALLERY
Sat 5 A Christmas Carol 2pm AD 7:15pm
A Dickens of a Christmas 7:15pm STUDIO
Sun 6 A Christmas Carol 2pm
Tue 8 A Christmas Carol 10am, 2pm
A Town Called Christmas 2pm STUDIO
Wed 9 A Christmas Carol 10:30am
A Town Called Christmas 10:30am & 2pm STUDIO
Thu 10 A Christmas Carol 10am, 2pm
A Town Called Christmas 10am & 2pm STUDIO
Fri 11 A Christmas Carol 10:30am 7:15pm A Town Called Christmas 10:30am & 2pm STUDIO
Sat 12 A Christmas Carol 2pm BSL/CAP 7:15pm
A Town Called Christmas 11am & 2pm STUDIO
Sun 13 A Christmas Carol 2pm
A Town Called Christmas 11am & 2pm STUDIO
Tue 15 A Christmas Carol 10:30am 7:15pm
A Town Called Christmas 10:30am & 2pm STUDIO
Wed 16 A Christmas Carol 2pm 7:15pm
A Town Called Christmas 10:30am & 2pm STUDIO
Thu 17 A Christmas Carol 2pm 7:15pm
A Town Called Christmas 10:30am & 2pm STUDIO
Sat 19 A Christmas Carol 2pm 7:15pm
A Town Called Christmas 11am & 2pm STUDIO
Sun 20 A Christmas Carol 2pm
A Town Called Christmas 11am & 2pm STUDIO
Mon 21 A Christmas Carol 2pm 7:15pm
A Town Called Christmas 11am & 2pm STUDIO
Tue 22 A Christmas Carol 2pm 7:15pm
A Town Called Christmas 11am & 2pm STUDIO
Wed 23 A Christmas Carol 2pm 7:15pm
A Town Called Christmas 11am & 2pm STUDIO
Thu 24 A Christmas Carol 2pm
A Town Called Christmas 11am & 2pm STUDIO
Sat 26 A Christmas Carol 2pm 7:15pm
A Town Called Christmas 11am & 2pm STUDIO
Sun 27 A Christmas Carol 2pm
A Town Called Christmas 11am & 2pm STUDIO
Mon 28 A Christmas Carol 2pm 7:15pm
Pinocchio 3pm STUDIO
Tue 29 A Christmas Carol 2pm 7:15pm
Pinocchio 11am & 2pm STUDIO
Wed 30 A Christmas Carol 2pm 7:15pm
Pinocchio 11am & 2pm STUDIO
Thu 31 A Christmas Carol 2pm
JANUARY
Pinocchio 11am & 2pm STUDIO
Sat 2 A Christmas Carol 2pm 7:15pm
Pinocchio 11am & 2pm STUDIO
Sun 3 A Christmas Carol 2pm
FEBRUARY
Pinocchio 11am & 2pm STUDIO
Fri 19 Mr Sleepybum 11am & 2pm STUDIO Sat 20 Mr Sleepybum 11am & 2pm STUDIO
Wed 24 Gordon Buchanan: Lions, Tigers and Bears 7:30pm
All performance timings are correct at time of printing. For a more up to date diary of events, including any new shows that have gone on sale since - scan this QR code or visit the link below: www.theatrebythelake.com /whats-on
You can also be the first to know about events, offers, news and more by signing up to our mailing list. Scan the QR code or visit the link below: www.theatrebythelake.com /#join-us
