Theatre by the Lake
Theatre by the Lake has a setting on the shores of Derwentwater no other professional theatre in Britain can match. Each year it stages up to nine of its own productions of classic, modern and new plays on its two stages and has won multi-starred reviews from national critics. It also hosts festivals of literature, jazz, film and mountains. Daytime and evening refreshments are available from light snacks to pre-theatre meals.
There are lifts to all levels and wheelchair users can get to all front-of-house and backstage areas. Both auditoria have enhanced-hearing and induction loop systems.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.theatrebythelake.com, where you can now choose your own seat and see the view of the stage before you buy. Alternatively, call the Box Office on 017687 74411 – it’s open from 9.30am to 8pm daily.
Location
The theatre is a five minute walk from the town centre (follow signs for the Lake), with Allerdale Borough Council’s Lakeside pay & display car park immediately adjacent to the theatre building. There are bus links with Ambleside to the south, Carlisle to the north, Penrith to the east and Cockermouth and Workington to the west.
Spitfire Girls
Inspired by remarkable true events.
“It’s built for us, isn’t it? The Spitfire. Built for women.”
New Year’s Eve, 1959.
Decades after answering the call, two women separated by the war meet again as the rain hammers down on the windows of The Spitfire pub.
As we hear their story, we’re transported back to a time when female pioneers defied expectations and soared through the skies.
Spitfire Girls is inspired by the extraordinary true stories of the women who dared to fly during WWII and the incredible bond that tied them together.
Funny and heart-warming, this is an untold story of strength, courage and loss. But above all else, hope.
Spitfire Girls was developed with the support of the National Theatre’s Generate programme and Arts Council England.
Of Mice and Men
A gripping tale of friendship and hope.
Lennie and George are unlikely best friends, two drifters bound together by a shared faith and the ambition to live the great American dream. Landing a job on a Californian ranch during the Great Depression, their hopes of earning money to eventually buy a place of their own are raised, and then wholly shattered in a heart-breaking conclusion.
Of Mice and Men remains as powerful and relevant today as it did when originally written in 1937. Based on Steinbeck’s classic novella, and with themes of friendship, migration and prejudice, this play continues to move and resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Don’t miss this evocative, compelling story laced with tragedy… a must-see production for anyone who has ever tried to pursue a long-held dream.
Every performance has Audio Description available, perfomed in character by the cast for the show.
Noises Off
A wildly hilarious, fast-paced comedy that takes you behind the curtain of a chaotic touring theatre company desperately trying to maintain their composure and regain any shred of credibility.
From their frantic last-minute rehearsals in Weston-Super-Mare to a disastrously silent performance in Ashton-under-Lyne, and a spectacularly calamitous final performance in Stockton-on-Tees, Noises Off promises an evening of non-stop laughter and mayhem as the doomed actors struggle to keep their performance together whilst everything around them quite literally falls apart.
Written by the multi-award-winning British novelist and playwright Michael Frayn, this is a new production of one of the most celebrated plays ever written.
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen’s most iconic love story is brought dazzlingly to life on stage.
When it comes to the subject of marriage, headstrong Lizzy Bennet is determined to resist the mounting pressures and expectations from society. But can she resist love, especially when the infuriatingly intriguing Mr. Darcy keeps popping up at every turn?!
With sharp humour and sparkling dialogue, this witty stage adaptation brings to life the classic story of love, misunderstandings, and second chances (with plenty of music and dancing). Lose yourself in the world of Regency parties and courtship, as hearts race, tongues wag and passions swirl around the English countryside.
Discover the absurdities and thrills of finding your perfect (or imperfect) match in life, with this vibrant retelling of Austen’s beloved novel, performed by a large cast of immensely talented actors. This UK premiere production is adapted by award-winning playwright Kate Hammil and directed by Octagon Theatre Bolton’s Artistic Director Lotte Wakeham.
The Wizard of Oz
We’re not in Keswick anymore…
From Aunty Em’s Cumbrian cottage Dorothy dreams of returning to her old life in London. But as she climbs out of the window to run away, a storm whisks her up, and she gets far more than she bargained for.
How do you get from Oz to London? There’s only one person who could possibly help – The Wizard!
For Christmas 2025 join Dorothy and her faithful companion Toto on an adventure down the yellow brick road, facing witches and flying monkeys and making new friends. Along the way she learns that there’s no place she’d rather be than home with Aunty Em.
Inspired by the book by L. Frank Baum, this brand new adaptation of the classic story features all your favourite characters – a very brave lion, a big hearted tinwoman and a super smart scarecrow, and brings Oz right up to date with original pop songs. It’s the perfect treat for all the family – just don’t forget your magic shoes!
Your enquiry will be sent directly to Theatre by the Lake. Please fill in as much detail as you can.
Theatre by the Lake has a setting on the shores of Derwentwater no other professional theatre in Britain can match. Each year it stages up to nine of its own productions of classic, modern and new plays on its two stages and has won multi-starred reviews from national critics. It also hosts festivals of literature, jazz, film and mountains. Daytime and evening refreshments are available from light snacks to pre-theatre meals.
There are lifts to all levels and wheelchair users can get to all front-of-house and backstage areas. Both auditoria have enhanced-hearing and induction loop systems.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.theatrebythelake.com, where you can now choose your own seat and see the view of the stage before you buy. Alternatively, call the Box Office on 017687 74411 – it’s open from 9.30am to 8pm daily.
Location
The theatre is a five minute walk from the town centre (follow signs for the Lake), with Allerdale Borough Council’s Lakeside pay & display car park immediately adjacent to the theatre building. There are bus links with Ambleside to the south, Carlisle to the north, Penrith to the east and Cockermouth and Workington to the west.
Spitfire Girls
Inspired by remarkable true events.
“It’s built for us, isn’t it? The Spitfire. Built for women.”
New Year’s Eve, 1959.
Decades after answering the call, two women separated by the war meet again as the rain hammers down on the windows of The Spitfire pub.
As we hear their story, we’re transported back to a time when female pioneers defied expectations and soared through the skies.
Spitfire Girls is inspired by the extraordinary true stories of the women who dared to fly during WWII and the incredible bond that tied them together.
Funny and heart-warming, this is an untold story of strength, courage and loss. But above all else, hope.
Spitfire Girls was developed with the support of the National Theatre’s Generate programme and Arts Council England.
Of Mice and Men
A gripping tale of friendship and hope.
Lennie and George are unlikely best friends, two drifters bound together by a shared faith and the ambition to live the great American dream. Landing a job on a Californian ranch during the Great Depression, their hopes of earning money to eventually buy a place of their own are raised, and then wholly shattered in a heart-breaking conclusion.
Of Mice and Men remains as powerful and relevant today as it did when originally written in 1937. Based on Steinbeck’s classic novella, and with themes of friendship, migration and prejudice, this play continues to move and resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Don’t miss this evocative, compelling story laced with tragedy… a must-see production for anyone who has ever tried to pursue a long-held dream.
Every performance has Audio Description available, perfomed in character by the cast for the show.
Noises Off
A wildly hilarious, fast-paced comedy that takes you behind the curtain of a chaotic touring theatre company desperately trying to maintain their composure and regain any shred of credibility.
From their frantic last-minute rehearsals in Weston-Super-Mare to a disastrously silent performance in Ashton-under-Lyne, and a spectacularly calamitous final performance in Stockton-on-Tees, Noises Off promises an evening of non-stop laughter and mayhem as the doomed actors struggle to keep their performance together whilst everything around them quite literally falls apart.
Written by the multi-award-winning British novelist and playwright Michael Frayn, this is a new production of one of the most celebrated plays ever written.
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen’s most iconic love story is brought dazzlingly to life on stage.
When it comes to the subject of marriage, headstrong Lizzy Bennet is determined to resist the mounting pressures and expectations from society. But can she resist love, especially when the infuriatingly intriguing Mr. Darcy keeps popping up at every turn?!
With sharp humour and sparkling dialogue, this witty stage adaptation brings to life the classic story of love, misunderstandings, and second chances (with plenty of music and dancing). Lose yourself in the world of Regency parties and courtship, as hearts race, tongues wag and passions swirl around the English countryside.
Discover the absurdities and thrills of finding your perfect (or imperfect) match in life, with this vibrant retelling of Austen’s beloved novel, performed by a large cast of immensely talented actors. This UK premiere production is adapted by award-winning playwright Kate Hammil and directed by Octagon Theatre Bolton’s Artistic Director Lotte Wakeham.
The Wizard of Oz
We’re not in Keswick anymore…
From Aunty Em’s Cumbrian cottage Dorothy dreams of returning to her old life in London. But as she climbs out of the window to run away, a storm whisks her up, and she gets far more than she bargained for.
How do you get from Oz to London? There’s only one person who could possibly help – The Wizard!
For Christmas 2025 join Dorothy and her faithful companion Toto on an adventure down the yellow brick road, facing witches and flying monkeys and making new friends. Along the way she learns that there’s no place she’d rather be than home with Aunty Em.
Inspired by the book by L. Frank Baum, this brand new adaptation of the classic story features all your favourite characters – a very brave lion, a big hearted tinwoman and a super smart scarecrow, and brings Oz right up to date with original pop songs. It’s the perfect treat for all the family – just don’t forget your magic shoes!
Your enquiry will be sent directly to Theatre by the Lake. Please fill in as much detail as you can.