[F]ollowing its first successful season, Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake has announced that the second term of its Elders Company sessions is to begin next month. A special free drop-in session has been arranged on Fri 6 April at 2.00 pm for anyone interested in joining and would like to learn more. No previous experience of theatre work or amateur dramatics is required – just bags of enthusiasm!
Created especially for the over 55s, the Elders Company formed in April 2017 and has since grown from strength to strength; bringing participants into the heart of the theatre, giving them access to TBTL productions, on stage and behind the scenes at selected times of the year. As a member of the company, participants get the chance to watch, be inspired and challenged by the high quality theatre that is presented in the Main House and Studio spaces and have the opportunity to meet cast members as well as creative teams to give them an invaluable insight into the world of the dramatic arts.
The new term consists of ten sessions, all from 1.30 – 4pm with the first session on Wednesday April 25, and culminating in performances at Derwentwater Regatta and in TBTL’s Studio in July. The company will be working in conjunction with the North Cumbria Scriptwriters to present three 15-minute short plays inspired by the upcoming Summer Season shows at TBTL including Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense, Single Spies and Sense and Sensibility.
For their inaugural season, the company devised a script inspired by TBTL’s Christmas show, The Secret Garden and after three months of work it culminated in the production The Hidden Key, performed over three nights in the Studio in January 2018. The Elders performed alongside TBTL’s Young Company and during the workshop sessions led by Learning and Participation Manager, Dave Cryer, the group met professional actors Julia Watson and Ian Barritt who starred in the hit Summer Season show, Handbagged.
Other opportunities allowed the 2017 company to work on the set of Rumours with the cast and creatives of Keswick Theatre Club, alongside honing their skills under the guidance of up-and-coming freelance director, Lexie Ward. They also travelled to Manchester to take part in the first national Elders Network meeting and saw the Royal Exchange’s Elders Company perform in their auditorium.
Current members of the company include David Marshall and Gillian Scholey. David says, “I’m full of gratitude to all the team at Theatre by the Lake for giving me and this wonderful opportunity. It’s not often amateur actors get the chance to be involved in putting on a production with the help and guidance of professionals. A truly wonderful experience.” Gillian played a version of Mary Lennox in The Hidden Key and says of the experience, “There was a great sense of achievement as we saw our own words come to life. We had lots of fun moments and Dave Cryer is very encouraging and never makes you feel vulnerable.”
So whether you’re looking for a new challenge, something a bit different or are an aspiring actor, director or writer, then come along on Fri 6 April at 2pm to discover more. Further details can be found online at www.theatrebythelake.com/participate. If attending the free drop-in session please email participation@theatrebythelake.com. If you’d like to sign up please call the Box Office on 017687 74411.
