Theatre by the Lake Keswick 25th Birthday Party Review
DISCLOSURE – THIS EXPERIENCE WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Jo Hardy
I don’t get invited to a lot of birthday parties so was delighted to accept the invitation to Theatre by the Lakes 25th birthday party.
I felt rather special as I entered the theatre through the green and white balloon arch into the foyer with balloons floating on the ceiling.
As we gathered to go into the auditorium young performers and puppeteers mingled among us interacting with everybody, l loved seeing the Herdwick sheep and collie dog puppets that had been used in the production “A Shepherds Life” a number of years ago I also recognised two little puppets from “The Borrowers” which I had seen a couple of years ago.
Once seated the first item was a speech by Louise Dunn the Mayor of Keswick she spoke so well about the theatre, and what it brought to the area, she was a joy to listen to, Liz and Simon the joint CEO’s took us through the rest of the show talking about the history, the theatre started out as a mobile theatre and came to die in Keswick, the people of Keswick took it into their hearts and worked together to get the funds to build the permanent theatre it is today on the shores of Derwentwater.
A local poet read us a poem specially written for the theatre, it was lovely, telling us about the range of people who come to the theatre and the different things they get out of the visits, this was when I got the first lump in my throat. Then Liz told us about “Company 25” where they have invited 25 young people from the local area to learn all things about the theatre, they will be working with them from now until July, they have only been together for a week but presented a great energetic piece to us. Thinking about the experiences this initiative is giving to these young people brought another lump to my throat. Then we were told about “Steel” written by a local person, it is a new play about Workington a town on the west coast of Cumbria, it is being made at the theatre and after premiering here will tour smaller venues on the west coast, for this production the theatre has put together a community choir, we watched a short film of them rehearsing and talking about the experience. The screen lifted and the actual choir were there and sang to us finishing in a flurry of confetti, bringing another lump to my throat, I had never expected the birthday party to make me feel so emotional but it really got me.
Theatre by the Lake is a registered charity and relies on donations to keep it going for the future generations. Of course we were asked to make a donation if we could and of course I did and was happy to do so.
While I was enjoying my birthday cake and glass of bubbles I looked out of the window to see all the sheep puppets mingling with the passing tourists and the young performers handing out the balloons to the children, it was such a heart warming sight and I got another lump in my throat. What a way to spend an afternoon, I was filled full of joy and happiness as I made my way home.
Thank you Theatre by the Lake you do some amazing things, here’s to the next 25years.
To find out what’s on next visit theatrebythelake.com
Rating:5/5
https://www.theatrebythelake.com/plan-your-visit/exhibitions/we-are-25/
Photos by Jo Hardy