Despite its current pandemic closure, Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake has announced a programme of free activity for audiences and the local community.
They include a TBTL play reading club, a network for local artists – Cumbrian Creatives; and a community exhibition which will reopen the theatre in 2021.
The TBTL Play Reading Club (details here) gives those who like talking about plays the chance to go deeper into several texts. Each month, the group will read a play and meet online to discuss it, as well as enjoying guest appearances from the playwrights themselves. The first play is Love, Lies and Taxidermy by Alan Harris (who wrote TBTL’s 2017 hit How My Light is Spent) with the first session on July 30. Artistic Director Liz Stevenson will play host, and further sessions will include plays by Jessica Swale, Laura Wade, Simon Longman and Roy Williams.
Alongside this, TBTL is planning a community exhibition, Life after Lockdown; a Community’s Story, intended to reopen the building in 2021, and is calling on local people to contribute their own lockdown stories. Various age groups will create different pieces for the exhibition, which is being curated by Cumbrian theatre designer Louie Whitemore. More information here.
Finally, Cumbrian Creatives (details here) is an artist network TBTL is launching to bring together local talents. The theatre will be working with those interested in being involved to develop how the network will evolve.
Artistic director Liz Stevenson said: “Our doors might be closed but it’s really important for us to continue to serve our community and audiences artistically and creatively: that’s what we’re here to do and that’s what we’ll endeavour to keep on doing.
“We’re really thrilled to have some wonderful playwrights lined up to join us. Now more than ever, it’s important we bring creative voices together and look to the future..”