The Dreamtime Fellrunner Theatre By The Lake Keswick Review

A one woman show, part of Cumbria Fest which is a new festival of writing that features local talent who the theatre has supported through ‘Cumbrian Creatives’ a network set up by Theatre by the Lake to connect local creative people the festival runs until 31st October with a full program of events.
As I sat waiting for the show to start I thought is this show really for me? I’m not a runner, never have been never will be.
With a back drop of the local fells it didn’t take long for Julie to captivate me through her poems and stories sprinkled with a sense humour.
I was transported in a kind of spiritual way, I felt her connection to the fells around Keswick got into my soul, I too felt connected to them, I almost felt like I was running on them with her, I also felt some regret that I had never truly bonded with the fells that have surrounded me all my life.
It was shocking to hear that in years gone by only the elite were allowed onto the fells, how lucky we all are that some people challenged this is a peaceful way and they are now open for everyone to enjoy.
What an amazing talented lady, born with a spinal disability, she has overcome many barriers in her life, at the age of 55 when many people are starting to prepare for retirement she focused on running 55 peaks! As she took us through that challenge I wanted to stand up and cheer as she got to the end of it.
After the interval the last twenty minutes of the show was a question and answer session during this it was clear that the audience were full of respect for Julie and what she had achieved. There was also a chance for the audience to reflect on the things around them that they find nurturing and rewarding. We were given a beautifully illustrated card to record our thoughts in, it was a great exercise that really made me think about the true beauty of nature and the joy it brings, I have been thinking about it ever since and even though I’m still not going to become a fellrunner, connecting to nature in my own way is very important.
I love a show that opens me up to new things and makes me think and this show did all of that and more.
Presented by Julie Carter, directed by Daniel Bye.
The show is performed in the “studio” a smaller more intimate space in the theatre which was a perfect setting for this show and made it easier to feel a real connection with Julie and her story.
The Dreamtime Fellrunner is showing in the theatres Studio 18th Sept to 21st Sept
Starting at 7.30pm it runs for 1 hour 20mins with an interval.
Tickets priced at £16 and £12 if under 26 are available from theatrebythelake.com
£1 from every ticket sold for Cumbria Fest events goes towards supporting developing artists in Cumbria.
Rating: 5/5
The Dreamtime Fellrunner Tour Dates – 2025
- Washington Arts Centre Sunderland Feb 13
- Fort William Mountain Festival 16 Feb
- Eastgate Theatre Peebles 20 Feb,
- The Story House Chester 28 Feb
- Darlington Hippodrome 23 March
https://www.theatrebythelake.com/event/the-dreamtime-fellrunner/