One of Cumbria’s most popular theatres has revealed its programme for 2022.
Theatre by the Lake (TBTL) has unveiled a programme of work comprising shows originally planned for the 2020 cancelled season as well as a whole raft of new collaborations.
With an emphasis on nature and sense of place, this season includes a world premiere, award-winning directors and a record number of collaborations with other leading northern theatres – as well as a return to theatre in the round.
With personal freedoms restricted over the last two years, the scenery and open spaces of the Lake District have never been more appreciated. This sense of place and our ties to the natural surroundings feature heavily in the new season, kicking off with SWIM by Liz Richardson, showing in the Studio in March.
Liz grew up in the Lake District and has written an ode to the healing power of nature and outdoor swimming after her community was rocked by tragedy. SWIM is directed by Andy Routledge and will embark on a rural and UK tour following its TBTL run.
The Main House season starts in late February with TBTL working with Stockroom’s production of The Glee Club by Richard Cameron, a raucous musical comedy about five hard-working, hard-drinking miners and a church organist rehearsing for a local gala.
In April, TBTL and Octagon Theatre Bolton co-produce Kes. Adapted by Robert Alan Evans, Ken Loach’s acclaimed British drama about a troubled teenager whose discovery of a hawk’s nest leads him down a road to freedom and heartbreak will be brought to the stage by award-winning director Atri Banerjee.
Banerjee was recently named one of the top theatre-makers to watch out for in 2022 by The Stage. A must-see for local drama fans. Summer begins in June with the world premiere of The Climbers by Carmen Nasr and directed by Guy Jones (Creative Associate, Headlong & Literary Associate, Orange Tree).
The play is an exploration of our fascination with the mountains, the drive to conquer and the agony of life or death decisions in extreme situations. Carmen, a British-Lebanese writer, and winner of Channel 4 Playwrights’ scheme, fittingly debuts this world premiere in what is often credited as the adventure capital of England and reputed birthplace of the British rock-climbing movement.
Next up from July – September TBTL are delighted to stage a Theatre by the Lake, Octagon Theatre Bolton and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse co-production of the smash-hit comedy One Man, Two Guvnors.
This raucous new production from Lotte Wakeham will introduce Cumbrian audiences to the hapless Francis Henshall, and his increasingly desperate measures to keep his two ‘guvnors’ from discovering one another.
In Autumn the theatre shifts to in-the-round seating again for Emma Rice’s joyous musical adaptation of Brief Encounter. With glorious musical numbers, physical comedy and maintaining the heady romance of the original, the theatre have teamed up with Stephen Joseph Theatre and Octagon Theatre Bolton to present this show following their successful collaboration on Home I’m Darling, TBTL’s reopening show of 2021.
Finishing the year is The Borrowers by Mary Norton, adapted for the stage by Theresa Heskins (presented with the permission of the deFaria Company). This production will turn TBTL’s stage into an adventure playground for this tiny cast living beneath the floorboards. A festive choice for young hearts of all sizes.
Theatre by the Lake’s Artistic Director, Liz Stevenson, said: “I’m so thrilled to announce our programme for 2022. It feels a long time in the making and a watershed moment as we look to the future after a challenging time for the theatre and our sector.
“I’m absolutely delighted that we’re producing the world premiere of The Climbers, and co-producing SWIM, maintaining our commitment to new writing telling stories that have a connection to our landscape and local communities.
“I’m also proud to be partnering with so many fantastic northern theatres and exciting artists to bring top-quality theatre to Keswick. Our programme of home-produced work will be surrounded by some fantastic visiting productions and special events that celebrate the creativity of our local communities and emerging theatre-makers, and we look forward to revealing more about our plans soon. We hope that the new season will bring audiences flocking back to experience the magic of live theatre once again.”
The theatre will continue to offer some guaranteed socially distanced performances for shows in its spring season including The Glee Club and Kes. For up-to-date Covid measures, visit theatrebythelake.com/Covid-19
