We Are 25 Theatre by the Lake Keswick Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Jo Hardy
Theatre by the lake are celebrating their 25th birthday with an exhibition in the theatre titled “We Are 25”. The top floor of the exhibition features photographs by Cumbrian photographer Amy Bateman it features portrait photographs of 25 people who have supported the theatre in various ways over the years many are local people but the most famous one is Dame Judi Dench who along with her late husband Michael Williams were the first official patrons of the theatre and Dame Judi still supports the theatre today.
Looking at the photographs of all these people and reading about their memories and stories gave me a true sense of the community connection to this beautiful theatre and made me understand more about why this place has such a unique feeling about it, far different to any other theatre I’ve ever visited.
The first floor of the exhibition features some of the props and costumes used in productions and lists all the shows staged since the opening in chronological order, it is a very impressive list. There were some there that I regretted not seeing and many that I have lovely memories of, there is a visitors book where we were asked to write our favourite show, this was a tough question but in the end I went for “The Climbers” but I did say that all the shows in 2022 (and I think I saw most of them) were excellent. “Home Darling I’m” also stands out in my memory but that could be swayed by the fact that it was the first production after lockdown we were still social distancing and wearing masks but I was so happy to be back in the theatre.
It was interesting to see some of the costumes close up the Edwardian dress had some parts that were made from plastics or synthetic material not truly authentic but looked good on stage.
I am always in awe of the puppets and the puppeteers and it was lovely to see some of the puppets up close and to get a better understanding of how they worked. There is also a selection of shoes and hats that you are invited to try on.
Theatre by the Lake has such an interesting history and actually started out as a mobile theatre called “The Blue Box“ and in 1975 was sited permanently on the site where the theatre is now built. I never went to it but remember seeing it when walking down to the lake, a friend has told me that because it was of a metal construction if it rained heavily you could barely hear the actors over the sound of the rain.
It is amazing to see how so many people have come together to make the theatre what it is today, a theatre in the most beautiful location, always giving a warm welcome and offering the best selection theatre experiences in the North of England .
The exhibitions is free to enter and running for a year.
Tickets are not needed.
www.theatrebythelake.com https://www.theatrebythelake.com/plan-your-visit/exhibitions/we-are-25/
Rating: 4/5
All photos by Jo Hardy