Lakes Alive

Keswick
CA12 5JS

Coming to Keswick in 2012 - a Spectacular Lakes Alive Event - Water Fools.

Lakes Alive will thrill and excite you with Ilotopie's show Water Fools, pictured above - a free show on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th August at 9.30pm in Crow Park, Keswick. It's a mythical watery-wonderland where cars drive on the Lake and a 5 metre-high Queen watches over her kingdom from a giant penny farthing.

The show, Fous de Bassin (Water Fools) is the creation of French company Ilotopie, and is being brought to Keswick by Lakes Alive, Keswick Tourism Association and Theatre by the Lake, with additional support from Keswick Town Council.

The critically acclaimed show has been performed at famous venues across the world including Sydney Harbour and London’s Docklands

Lyn Gardner, the Guardian’s theatre critic, wrote of the show “It sets fire to the imagination, showing us a warped version of our own world, a cradle-to-the-grave race of competition and power. "

The performances, which are free, will take place on Friday 10 & Saturday 11 August at Crow Park (just opposite Theatre by the Lake) at 9.30pm.

Julie Tait, from Lakes Alive, says: “Fous de Bassin is a beautiful, surreal and unique show – it is absolutely unforgettable. It is also incredibly impressive technically; the cast literally walk - and drive - on water.

“Lakes Alive has always wanted to use Derwentwater as a backdrop for one of our shows , and it will be the perfect setting for this amazing performance. This is definitely an event not to miss.”

Keswick Tourism Association made a significant contribution towards the costs of staging the event. David Jackson, its chairman, says,

“Although Keswick is obviously already a popular tourist destination, we still need to get as many new people as possible to visit the town, and I think this show is a really good way of doing that.

“It looks fantastic, and I think it will pull in a big crowd from all over the country. Hopefully, once people have visited Keswick they will be hooked and come back time and time again.”

Lakes Alive is a programme created and directed by Kendal Arts International with Manchester International Arts.

It is one of the three Annual Legacy Programmes commissioned by the Legacy Trust UK for WE PLAY, the Northwest cultural legacy programme for the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. It will represent a diverse range of projects and events, across culture, education and sport, appealing to people from all walks of life.

Please note: the show contains (fairly distant!) nudity

Lakes Alive - A four-year programme of world-class arts events in the spectacular landscapes of Cumbria, the Lake District, inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games www.lakesalive.org

Keswick Tourism Association Members have contributed to help make the Keswick Lakes Alive event happen. Visit their websites here:

Hope Leisure Ltd Ye Olde Friars

Brundholme Guest House Lynwood

Abacourt House Honister Slate Mine

Limhus Cottage Viridian Gallery

Dolly Waggon Guest House Briar Rigg House

Goodwin House Brewery Lane Holiday Cottages

Greystones Burleigh Mead

Crow Park Hotel Cheese Deli @ Fond Ewe

Ellas Crag Allerdale House

Stair Mill Beckstones Farm Guest House

Avondale Guest House Skiddaw Grove Country Guest House