Theatre by the Lake

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Theatre by the Lake

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Theatre made with passion in an extraordinary place. Lakeside, Keswick, Cumbria, UK CA12 5DJ. https://linktr.ee/theatrebythelake

Staging live theatre, music, films & festivals for audiences in Cumbria we are on the edge of Derwentwater, with our own cafe & bar lakeside!

05/11/2026

What makes this A Christmas Carol different?

“We’re very much leaning into the spooky fun of the story,” Andy explains.

Director Andy Barry is bringing a fresh perspective to Dickens' much-loved story, blending all the characters and festive moments we know with original live music, puppetry and plenty of spooky fun.

Andy previously directed The Lost Spells here at Theatre by the Lake, and we're delighted to welcome him back. Discover the inspiration behind this extraordinary new production in our interview with Andy.

Read the interview; link in our bio - head to TBTL News

🎟️ A Christmas Carol opens 13 November
📸 Rehearsal photography: Rich Lakos

04/11/2026

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON! Just 9 days until A Christmas Carol opens at Theatre by the Lake!

Seven talented actor-musicians, original live music, puppetry, a ghostly choir and one very grumpy Scrooge...

We've been having a wonderful time watching this magical new production come together in rehearsals, and now we can't wait to share it with you.

Take a peek inside the rehearsal room and meet the extraordinary cast bringing Dickens' festive classic to life with a wonderfully spooky twist.

Opens next Friday 13 November in Keswick
🎟️ Book now: https://www.theatrebythelake.com/event/a-christmas-carol-keswick-lake-district-theatre/

🎥 Film: Greta Zabulyte | Interviews: Rachel Kearns

03/11/2026

Seven actors. A whole lot of instruments. And one very humbled Director…

Step inside rehearsals for A Christmas Carol, where director Andy Barry reveals how this extraordinarily talented cast is bringing Dickens' festive classic to life!

From live music and puppetry to plenty of laughter and wonderful chemistry, there's a whole lot of Christmas magic taking shape in the rehearsal room.

And with so many talented actor-musicians around him, even Scrooge might struggle to say… BAH! HUMBUG!

A Christmas Carol | Theatre by the Lake, Keswick

🎟️ Book now – link in bio!

🎥 Filmed by Greta Zabulyte
🎤 Interviews by Rachel Kearns

03/11/2026

We're announcing more shows now on sale for our Spring - Summer 2027 season...

There’s plenty to look forward to - among the highlights, much-loved singer Aled Jones brings us an intimate concert of music, memories and untold stories, while comedian Mark Steel brings his trademark wit and sharp observations to the stage. Plus, don’t miss Once Upon a Time in Sokoto, an award-winning new play by acclaimed writer Inua Ellams, telling an epic story of friendship against the backdrop of events leading to the creation of Nigeria.

And that’s just a taste of what’s to come – explore more of the season by visiting our website.

Priority booking for TBTL Members: open now
General sale: Tue 10 November 12pm

03/11/2026

Last chance to join our Young Company...

Our Young Company is already off to a great start, but there are still a few spaces available.

From acting and storytelling to building confidence, making new friends and working towards a performance as part of the National Theatre's Connections Festival, there's tons to get out of this experience.

Along the way, members also get the chance to learn from theatre professionals through exciting creative workshops, developing new skills and exploring different aspects of theatre-making. Coming up next week is Telling Tales: Making the Invisible Visible, a special storytelling workshop celebrating Young Storytellers Week.

Sign up by the end of tomorrow (Wednesday 4 November) to be part of something brilliant. Check out our website for details.

📸 (The Glitch, Company 25)

31/10/2026

🌻 One last page of the calendar to turn… 🌻

This Saturday 31 October, Calendar Girls the Musical takes its final bow at Octagon Theatre Bolton, bringing to a close one blooming wonderful journey! 💛

From where it all began at Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, to us here at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick, New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich and finally Octagon Theatre Bolton.

🎭 Over 100 performances
👏 More standing ovations than we can count
⭐ A sky full of stars
💛 A universe of wonderful reviews, heartfelt comments and unforgettable audience reactions

And, while the show was still on the road, a nomination for Best Musical Production at the UK Theatre Awards 2026, a fantastic recognition of this very special co-production and everyone who helped bring it to life.

To our extraordinary cast, creatives, stage management and technical teams, the brilliant young local actors who joined the company at each venue, every member of staff and every volunteer across all four theatres THANK YOU!

And to the thousands of audience members who laughed, cried, cheered, clapped, sang along and gave this show so much love... you've made this a summer we'll never forget. 🌻

Four theatres. One incredible company. Countless memories.

What a journey. What a show. What a blooming brilliant bunch of Calendar Girls! 💛

And as the girls remind us…

"The flowers of Yorkshire are like the women of Yorkshire. Every stage of their growth has its own beauty." 🌻

Thank you for a summer to remember. 💛

🖊 This much-loved musical was written by Tim Firth and Gary Barlow (who never did come to TBTL... we tried, next time!)
📸 Photos by Tony Bartholomew

31/10/2026

🎃👻 Happy Halloween from all of us at Theatre by the Lake!

The ghosts are out, the spirits are stirring and Christmas is creeping ever closer…

But don't worry if you're not ready to say goodbye to spooky season. Our ghosts are staying until Christmas!

Join us for A Christmas Carol, a wonderfully imaginative festive adventure packed with live music, original songs, puppetry, laughter and a few unexpected visitors from beyond the grave.

🎄 A Dickens of a Christmas awaits in Keswick!

🎟️ Book now: link in our bio

📸 Rich Lakos / 🎥 Greta Zabulyte

30/10/2026

Three spirits. Seven actor-musicians. One hauntingly good song!

Halloween is almost here, and our A Christmas Carol cast have been getting into the spirit(s) with some beautiful harmonies, festive mischief and a little unexpected humour from Ebenezer Scrooge!

Take a peek inside the rehearsal room and discover the musical magic heading to Theatre by the Lake this Christmas.

🎄 Because Halloween may be nearly over… but our ghosts are staying until Christmas!

🎟️ Book your tickets: link in our bio

🎥 Greta Zabulyte

29/10/2026

Who says Halloween is just for kids...

Forget the trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving and fancy dress… this Halloween, we've got something a little darker in store for the grown-ups.

Before The Lights Go Out is a spine-tingling evening of candlelit storytelling, where tales of devils, demons and dark bargains unfold as the candles are extinguished one by one.

No props, no special effects, just the power of the human voice, your imagination and the unsettling feeling that something might be lurking in the shadows…

🗓 This Saturday, 31 October (booking link in bio... if you dare!)

29/10/2026

Calling all young creatives...

Our Young Company is already underway, but there are still spaces available for young people who love theatre, storytelling and getting creative.

And there's plenty to look forward to. As part of Young Storytellers Week (9–15 November), organised by the Society for Storytelling, our Young Company will be taking part in a special workshop by local storyteller, Jo Mills. They'll explore the art of storytelling and learn new ways to bring stories, characters and ideas to life.

It's just one of the exciting opportunities on offer, alongside developing performance skills, building confidence, making new friends and working towards a production as part of the National Theatre's Connections Festival.

Fancy getting involved? Don't miss your chance to be part of it, sign up by Wednesday 4 November. Visit our website for more details.

📸 .The Glitch (Company 25)

Address

Lakeside
Keswick
CA125DJ

Telephone

+441768774411

Website

http://www.theatrebythelake.com/

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