A Lake District theatre has been given a £68,000 boost in its 25th year.
Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake has been awarded £67,885 from the Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for technical upgrades, including new lights and a sound desk.
Simon Stephens, executive director and joint CEO of the theatre, said: “We’re proud to champion Cumbrian creativity and support fantastic performing arts groups and societies.
“In enabling this major technical upgrade, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has helped to ensure that we can continue to provide professional support and cultural experiences of the highest quality for local communities.”
The sound desk has already been installed and one of the first events to benefit from the new equipment was Keswick Amateur Operatic Society’s recent production of The Sound of Music.
Alex Lehninger, society chair, added: “We always have an amazing experience at the theatre, with access to the specialist sound, lighting and projecting equipment, as well as the professional support that we receive from the team.
“This year we were privileged to be able to use the new sound desk which really enhanced the sound element of the show. We’re already looking forward to our return next year.”
This project is the first step in an ambitious plan to replace all tungsten lighting with LED upgrades, which use approximately 30% less energy and will help the theatre to meet its commitment to carbon neutrality by 2037.
In the coming weeks, it will buy four LED mover lights for their Main House auditorium, and portable LED lights and controls for the Studio.
Investing in portable lighting equipment enables the theatre, through community touring, to increase access to first-class cultural offerings in civic and rural venues across Cumbria, it said.
