Theatre by the Lake


Theatre by the Lake is situated on the shores of Derwentwater in the Lake District in Keswick, Cumbria, England. It opened in 1999, replacing the mobile Century Theatre, and was made possible by an Arts Council Lottery Fund Grant. From May to November a resident company of up to 14 actors perform a Summer Season of six plays in repertory. The theatre also produces a Christmas show and two Spring shows. The theatre hosts festivals including the Words by the Water literature festival, the Jennings Keswick Jazz Festival, Keswick Film Festival and events in the Keswick Mountain Festival. In addition, the theatre offers a wide range of visiting drama, music, dance, talks, comedy and film.

History

The mobile touring Century Theatre first visited Keswick in 1961 and settled full-time in the Lakeside car park on the shores of Derwentwater in 1975. Outline planning permission was granted for a permanent building on the site in 1991, and in 1996 the Century Theatre was moved to Snibston Discovery Museum to make way for it. Work on the building began in 1998; the ground was broken by the theatre's patron, Dame Judi Dench. A significant proportion of the £6.5m building cost was contributed by the National Lottery. The name Theatre by the Lake was decided by public consultation and the first performance in the new building was on 19 August 1999.
The theatre has two auditoria: 400 seats in the Main House; and 100 seats in the Studio.

Productions

YearProductionWriterDatesAuditoriumNotes
1999Charley's AuntBrandon Thomas19 August - 6 NovemberMain House
The LakersJames Plumptre2 September - 6 NovemberMain House
TwoJim Cartwright9 September - 6 NovemberMain House
A Christmas CarolCharles Dickens3 December 1999 - 8 January 2000Main HouseAdapted by David Holman.
2000Romeo and JulietWilliam Shakespeare31 March - 22 AprilMain HousePresented in the round.
Noises OffMichael Frayn27 May - 28 OctoberMain House
Dangerous CornerJ.B. Priestley9 June - 27 OctoberMain House
One Fine DayDennis Lumborg16 June - 27 OctoberStudio
My Cousin RachelDaphne du Maurier21 July - 23 OctoberMain HouseAdapted by Diana Morgan.
Noël and GertieSheridan Morley28 July - 23 OctoberStudioIncluded five performances in the Main House.
The Snow QueenStuart Paterson1 December 2000 - 6 January 2001Main HouseFrom the story by Hans Christian Andersen
2001The MotherBertolt Brecht16–24 FebruaryMain HouseA co-production with Visiting Moon.
Twelfth NightWilliam Shakespeare23 March - 14 AprilMain House
Anorak of FireStephen Dinsdale25 May - 27 OctoberStudio
Habeas CorpusAlan Bennett26 May - 27 OctoberMain House
The Real Inspector Hound/Black ComedyTom Stoppard/Peter Shaffer8 June - 24 OctoberMain HouseDouble bill.
SkylightDavid Hare15 June - 24 OctoberStudio
Mrs Warren's ProfessionGeorge Bernard Shaw20 July - 26 OctoberMain House
BetrayalHarold Pinter27 July - 26 OctoberStudio
The Wizard of OzL. Frank Baum30 November 2001 - 19 January 2002Main House1987 musical adaptation originally performed by the RSC.
2002One Fine DayDennis Lumborg7 February - 1 MarchStudio
Neville's IslandTim Firth15 March - 6 AprilMain House
Hello and GoodbyeAthol Fugard24 May - 26 OctoberStudio
The Good CompanionsJ.B. Priestley25 May - 26 OctoberMain HouseAdapted by Bob Eaton and Sayan Kent.
The Woman in BlackSusan Hill7 June - 23 OctoberMain HouseAdapted by Stephen Mallatratt.
In FlameCharlotte Jones14 June - 23 OctoberStudio
All My SonsArthur Miller19 July - 25 OctoberMain House
Speed-the-PlowDavid Mamet26 July - 25 OctoberStudio
Alice's Adventures in WonderlandLewis Carroll29 November 2002 - 18 January 2003Main House
Tom Thumb18 December 2002 - 11 January 2003StudioA co-production with Collaborators Theatre Company.
2003A Passionate WomanKay Mellor2–26 AprilMain HouseA co-production with the Gateway Theatre in Chester.
Season's GreetingsAlan Ayckbourn24 May - 31 OctoberMain House
WallfloweringPeta Murray24 May - 31 OctoberStudio
Blithe SpiritNoël Coward6 June - 1 NovemberMain House
Kiss of the Spider WomanManuel Puig13 June - 1 NovemberStudioTranslated by Allan Baker.
The Tenant of Wildfell HallAnne Brontë18 July - 29 OctoberMain HouseAdapted by Lisa Evans.
Not a Game for BoysSimon Block25 July - 29 OctoberStudio
Sleeping Beauty5 December 2003 - 17 January 2004Main HouseRetold for the stage by Charles Way.
2004The Hired ManMelvyn Bragg27 March - 17 AprilMain HouseMusic and lyrics by Howard Goodall.
Sailor, Beware!Philip King and Falkland Cary29 May - 5 NovemberMain House
Blue/OrangeJoe Penhall29 May - 5 NovemberStudio
Arms and the ManGeorge Bernard Shaw11 June - 6 NovemberMain House
GhostsHenrik Ibsen18 June - 6 NovemberStudio
Strangers on a TrainPatricia Highsmith23 July - 3 NovemberMain HouseAdapted by Craig Warner.
Tramping Like MadJulie McKiernan30 July - 3 NovemberStudio
CinderellaStuart Paterson3 December 2004 - 15 January 2005Main HouseA reworking of the classic story.
2005CloserPatrick Marber23–26 FebruaryStudio
April in ParisJohn Godber18 March - 9 AprilMain House
Dick Barton: Special AgentPhil Willmott28 May - 4 NovemberMain House
Playhouse CreaturesApril De Angelis28 May - 4 NovemberStudio
GaslightPatrick Hamilton10 June - 5 NovemberMain House
Dead FunnyTerry Johnson17 June - 5 NovemberStudio
Les Liaisons DangereusesChristopher Hampton22 July - 2 NovemberMain House
A NumberCaryl Churchill29 July - 2 NovemberStudio
Only Available in CarlisleCharlotte Allan22–26 NovemberStudio
The Wind in the WillowsKenneth Grahame3 December 2005 - 21 January 2006Main House
2006On Golden PondErnest Thompson31 March - 22 AprilMain House
Private LivesNoël Coward27 May - 3 NovemberMain House
The Birthday PartyHarold Pinter27 May - 3 NovemberStudio
LootJoe Orton9 June - 4 NovemberMain House
FrozenBryony Lavery16 June - 4 NovemberStudio
The Deep Blue SeaTerence Rattigan21 July - 1 NovemberMain House
After Miss JuliePatrick Marber28 July - 1 NovemberStudio
Sinbad: the Untold Tale!Charles Way1 December 2006 - 13 January 2007Main HouseA reworking of the Arabian Nights tale.
2007Of Mice and MenJohn Steinbeck24 March - 21 AprilMain House
Around the World in Eighty DaysJules Verne26 May - 2 NovemberMain HouseFreely adapted and with original songs by Phil Willmott.
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?Edward Albee26 May - 2 NovemberStudio
Taking StepsAlan Ayckbourn8 June - 3 NovemberMain House
Under the Blue SkyDavid Eldridge15 June - 3 NovemberStudio
RebeccaDaphne du Maurier20 July - 31 OctoberMain HouseAdapted by Frank McGuinness.
Days of Wine and RosesJ.P. Miller27 July - 31 OctoberStudioIn a new version by Owen McCafferty.
The BorrowersMary Norton1 December 2007 - 12 January 2008Main HouseAdapted by Charles Way.
2008The Recruiting OfficerGeorge Farquhar9 February - 5 AprilMain House
Our Country's GoodTimberlake Wertenbaker15 March - 5 AprilMain House
Arsenic and Old LaceJoseph Kesselring24 May - 5 NovemberMain House
The Bogus WomanKay Adshead24 May - 5 NovemberStudio
The Lady in the VanAlan Bennett6 June - 7 NovemberMain House
The Lonesome WestMartin McDonagh13 June - 7 NovemberStudio
The Importance of Being EarnestOscar Wilde18 July - 8 NovemberMain House
The CaretakerHarold Pinter25 July - 8 NovemberStudio
A Christmas CarolCharles Dickens29 November 2008 - 17 January 2009Main HouseAdapted by David Holman.
2009The Maid of ButtermereMelvyn Bragg21 March - 18 AprilMain HouseAdapted by Lisa Evans.
A Chorus of DisapprovalAlan Ayckbourn23 May - 4 NovemberMain House
BlackbirdDavid Harrower23 May - 4 NovemberStudio
Summer LightningP.G. Wodehouse5 June - 6 NovemberMain HouseAdapted by Giles Havergal.
The Memory of WaterShelagh Stephenson12 June - 6 NovemberStudio
A Midsummer Night's DreamWilliam Shakespeare17 July - 7 NovemberMain House
For All TimeRick Thomas24 July - 7 NovemberStudio
Grimm TalesCarol Ann Duffy28 November 2009 - 9 January 2010Main HouseThe Box Office takings from one performance were donated to victims of the 2009 floods in Keswick and Cockermouth.
2010Stones in His PocketsMarie Jones27 March - 17 AprilMain House
Northanger AbbeyJane Austen29 May - 5 NovemberMain HouseAdapted by Tim Luscombe.
Shining CityConor McPherson29 May - 5 NovemberStudio
What The Butler SawJoe Orton11 June - 6 NovemberMain House
SilenceMoira Buffini18 June - 6 NovemberStudio
Bus StopWilliam Inge23 July - 3 NovemberMain House
The Glass MenagerieTennessee Williams30 July - 3 NovemberStudio
Tom's Midnight GardenPhilippa Pearce27 November 2010 - 5 January 2011Main HouseAdapted by David Williams.
2011QuicksandZosia Wand16–26 FebruaryStudioPremièred at the Dukes, Lancaster.
A View from the BridgeArthur Miller1–23 AprilMain House
Noises OffMichael Frayn28 May - 9 NovemberMain House
The Blue RoomDavid Hare28 May - 9 NovemberStudioAdapted from Arthur Schnitzler's La Ronde.
Hay FeverNoël Coward10 June - 7 NovemberMain House
Dumb ShowJoe Penhall17 June - 7 NovemberStudio
Keep Smiling ThroughLisa Evans30 July - 11 NovemberMain HouseWorld première.
Someone Who'll Watch Over MeFrank McGuinness5 August - 11 NovemberStudio
The Firework-Maker's DaughterPhilip Pullman26 November 2011 - 7 January 2012Main HouseAdapted by Stephen Russell.
2012The History BoysAlan Bennett24 March - 21 AprilMain House
Bedroom FarceAlan Ayckbourn22 May - 7 NovemberMain House
A Doll's HouseHenrik Ibsen22 May - 7 NovemberStudioA new adaptation by Bryony Lavery.
Dry RotJohn Chapman1 June - 9 NovemberMain House
Colder Than HereLaura Wade8 June - 9 NovemberStudioRegional première.
Great ExpectationsCharles Dickens20 July - 10 NovemberMain HouseAdapted for the stage by Neil Bartlett. In association with Cumbria Life.
Roma and the Flannelettes: A Love Like YoursRichard Cameron27 July - 10 NovemberStudioWorld première.
The Railway ChildrenEdith Nesbit1 December 2012 - 19 January 2013Main HouseAdapted by Mike Kenny.
2013Old HerbaceousReginald Arkell14 – 23 MarchStudioDramatised by Alfred Shaughnessy.
Rogue HerriesHugh Walpole23 March - 20 AprilMain HouseAdapted by Louise Page.
See How They RunPhilip King25 May - 9 NovemberMain House
Vincent in BrixtonNicholas Wright25 May - 9 NovemberStudio
An Inspector CallsJ.B. Priestley7 June - 6 NovemberMain House
'Tis Pity She's a WhoreJohn Ford14 June - 6 NovemberStudio
She Stoops to ConquerOliver Goldsmith26 July - 8 NovemberMain House
The Shape of ThingsNeil LaBute2 August - 8 NovemberStudio
Swallows & AmazonsArthur Ransome30 November 2013 - 18 January 2014Main HouseAdapted by Helen Edmundson, with songs by Neil Hannon. This adaptation was first performed by the Bristol Old Vic in 2010.
2014Not About HeroesStephen MacDonald22 March - 5 AprilStudio
Dancing at LughnasaBrian Friel23 March - 20 AprilMain House
Rookery NookBen Travers24 May - 5 NovemberMain House
The WinterlingJez Butterworth24 May - 5 NovemberStudio
DraculaLiz Lochhead7 June - 7 NovemberMain HouseAdapted from Bram Stoker's novel.
Seeing the LightsBrendan Murray13 June - 7 NovemberStudioThe world première.
The Comedy of ErrorsWilliam Shakespeare26 July - 8 NovemberMain House
Old TimesHarold Pinter1 August - 8 NovemberStudio
Peter PanJ.M. Barrie29 November 2014 - 31 January 2015Main House
2015TwoJim Cartwright20 March - 14 AprilStudio
The 39 StepsJohn Buchan and Alfred Hitchcock23 May - 4 NovemberMain HouseAdapted by Patrick Barlow from an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon.
Suddenly Last SummerTennessee Williams23 May - 4 NovemberStudio
Abigail's PartyMike Leigh6 June - 6 NovemberMain House
The Lady of the LakeBenjamin Askew13 June - 6 NovemberStudioThe world première.
Fallen AngelsNoël Coward25 July - 7 NovemberMain House
EnlightenmentShelagh Stephenson1 August - 7 NovemberStudioThe regional première.
The Snow QueenHans Christian Andersen28 November 2015 - 16 January 2016Main HouseAdapted by Charles Way.
The Bogus WomanKay Adshead19 November - 28 NovemberStudioA Curtis Productions & Theatre by the Lake co-production in association with Mama Quilla Productions.
Bear & ButterflyAnnie McCourt15 December - 24 DecemberStudioA Theatre Hullabaloo and Theatre by the Lake co-production based on an original story by Gordon Poad.
2016The Shepherd's LifeJames Rebank, adapted by Chris MonksSat 26 March - Sat 23 AprilMain HouseA Theatre by the Lake production
The Professor of AdventurePeter MacQueenSat 19 March - Tue 5 AprilStudioA PMac and Theatre by the Lake production
Watch it, Sailor!Philip King and Falkland L. CarySat 28 May - Sat 5 NovemberMain HouseA Theatre by the Lake production
The Vertical HourDavid HareSat 28 May - Sat 5 NovemberStudioA Theatre by the Lake production
Dial M for MurderFrederick KnottSat 11 June - Wed 2 NovemberMain HouseA Theatre by the Lake production
ElektraSophokles, translated by Anne CarsonSat 18 June - Wed 2 NovemberStudioA Theatre by the Lake production
The RivalsRichard Brinsley SheridanSat 30 July - Fri 4 NovemberMain HouseA Theatre by the Lake production
IronRona MunroSat 6 August - Fri 4 NovemberStudioA Theatre by the Lake production
The Emperor and the NightingaleNeil Duffield, based on The Nightingale by Hans Christian AndersenSat 26 November - Sat 14 JanuaryMain HouseA Theatre by the Lake production
2017Two Way MirrorArthur MillerFri 17 - Sat 25 March & Mon 10 - Sat 22 AprilStudioA Theatre by the Lake production
William WordsworthNicholas PerpanFri 31 March - Sat 22 AprilMain HouseA Theatre by the Lake and English Touring Theatre co-production
After the DanceTerrence RattiganThu 25 May - Sat 4 NovemberMain HouseA Theatre by the Lake production
HandbaggedMoira BuffiniThu 15 June - Fri 3 NovemberMain HouseA Theatre by the Lake production
As You Like ItWilliam ShakespeareFri 7 July - Sat 4 NovemberMain HouseA Theatre by the Lake and Shared Experience co-production
How My Light is SpentAlan HarrisWed 31 May - Sat 24 JuneStudioA Theatre by the Lake, The Royal Exchange Theatre, and Sherman Theatre co-production
Miss JulieAugust Strindberg, a new adaption by Howard BrentonFri 30 June - Fri 30 NovemberStudioA Theatre by the Lake and Jermyn Street Theatre co-production
Remarkable InvisibleLaura EasonFri 11 August - Sat 4 NovemberStudioA Theatre by the Lake production
The Secret GardenFrances Hodgson Burnett, adapted by Jessica SwaleFri 24 November 2017 - Sat 13 January 2018Main HouseA Theatre by the Lake production
2018A Streetcar Named DesireTennessee WilliamsTue 3 - Sat 7 AprilMain HouseAn English Touring Theatre, Nuffield Southampton Theatres and THeatr Clwyd production
Great ExpectationsCharles Dickens, adapted by Ken BrantleyTue 10 - Sat 14 AprilMain HouseA Tilted Wig and Malvern Theatres Production
Hymn to Love - Homage to PiafSteve TraffordFri 23 March - Tue 10 AprilStudioA Theatre by the Lake and York Theatre Royal production, in association with Ensemble
Jeeves and Wooster in perfect nonsenseP.G. Wodehouse by The Goodale BrothersThu 24 May - Sat 27 OctoberMain HouseA Theatre by the Lake production
Single SpiesAlan BennettThu 14 June - Wed 24 OctoberMain HouseA Theatre by the Lake production
Sense and SensibilityJane Austen, adapted by Jessica SwaleThu 9 August - Fri 26 OctoberMain HouseA Theatre by the Lake production
RailsSimon LongmanThu 24 May - Sat 27 OctoberStudioA Theatre by the Lake production
Bold GirlsRona MunroThu 21 June - Wed 24 OctoberStudioA Theatre by the Lake production
The Other PlaceSharr WhiteThu 1 - Sat 10 NovemberMain HouseA Theatre by the Lake and Park Theatre co-production in association with Abinger Productions
Beauty and the BeastLaurence BoswellFri 23 November - Sat 12 JanuaryMain HouseA Theatre by the Lake production
2019The Picture of Dorian GrayOscar Wilde, adapted by Sean AydonMon 8 - Sat 13 AprilMain HouseA Tilted Wig, Malvern Theatres and Churchill Theatre production
Educating RitaWilly RussellThu 18 - Sat 27 AprilMain HouseA Theatre by the Lake and David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers co-production
CreditorsAugust Strindberg, a new version by Howard BrentonFri 22 March - Sat 20 AprilStudioA Theatre by the Lake and Jermyn Street Theatre co-production
The LadykillersGrahamn LinehanFri 24 May - Wed 30 OctoberMain HouseA Theatre by the Lake production
The Rise and Fall of Little VoiceJim CartwrightThu 6 June - Fri 1 NovemberMain HouseA Theatre by the Lake production
Dear UncleChekhov, adapted by Alan AyckbournThu 1 August - Sat 2 NovemberMain HouseA Theatre by the Lake production
My Mother Said I Never ShouldCharlotte KeatleyThu 23 May - Wed 30 OctoberStudioA Theatre by the Lake production
The ChildrenLucy KirkwoodThu 6 June - Fri 1 NovemberStudioA Theatre by the Lake production
Guards at the TajRajiv JosephThu 8 August - Sat 2 NovemberStudioA Theatre by the Lake production
A Christmas CarolBy Patrick Barlow, adapted from the story by Charles DickensFri 22 November - Sat 11 JanuaryMain HouseA Theatre by the Lake production