Theatre by the Lake

Theatre by the Lake has a setting on the shores of Derwentwater no other professional theatre in Britain can match. Each year it stages up to nine of its own productions of classic, modern and new plays on its two stages and has won multi-starred reviews from national critics. It also hosts festivals of literature, jazz, film and mountains. Daytime and evening refreshments are available from light snacks to pre-theatre meals.

There are lifts to all levels and wheelchair users can get to all front-of-house and backstage areas. Both auditoria have enhanced-hearing and induction loop systems.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.theatrebythelake.com, where you can now choose your own seat and see the view of the stage before you buy. Alternatively, call the Box Office on 017687 74411 – it’s open from 9.30am to 8pm daily.

Location

The theatre is a five minute walk from the town centre (follow signs for the Lake), with Allerdale Borough Council’s Lakeside pay & display car park immediately adjacent to the theatre building. There are bus links with Ambleside to the south, Carlisle to the north, Penrith to the east and Cockermouth and Workington to the west.

The Wizard of Oz

Theatre by the Lake

We’re not in Keswick anymore…

From Aunty Em’s Cumbrian cottage Dorothy dreams of returning to her old life in London. But as she climbs out of the window to run away, a storm whisks her up, and she gets far more than she bargained for.

How do you get from Oz to London? There’s only one person who could possibly help – The Wizard!

For Christmas 2025 join Dorothy and her faithful companion Toto on an adventure down the yellow brick road, facing witches and flying monkeys and making new friends. Along the way she learns that there’s no place she’d rather be than home with Aunty Em.

Inspired by the book by L. Frank Baum, this brand new adaptation of the classic story features all your favourite characters – a very brave lion, a big hearted tinwoman and a super smart scarecrow, and brings Oz right up to date with original pop songs. It’s the perfect treat for all the family – just don’t forget your magic shoes!


Cumbrian Christmas Cracker

Theatre by the Lake

Open the season of goodwill at the ‘Cumbrian Christmas Cracker’

A nostalgic evening of seasonal readings, poems, dialect and music. Author Alan Cleaver, Countrystride producer David Felton and special guests unpack a stocking of seasonal gifts featuring memories of past times, traditional yuletide food, a journey into Cumberland dialect and tunes, and the inevitable fire-side ghost story.


Little Gift

Theatre by the Lake

Meet Ted, a cautious old soul living all alone in a busy, bustling town. He likes it that way. It’s quieter and safer. Until one extraordinary day, a surprise visitor turns his lonely life upside down.

Told by a very special performer, with a playful mix of puppetry, music and song, Little Gift is a tender and warm story about friendship and the joy to be found just around every corner.


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Theatre by the Lake has a setting on the shores of Derwentwater no other professional theatre in Britain can match. Each year it stages up to nine of its own productions of classic, modern and new plays on its two stages and has won multi-starred reviews from national critics. It also hosts festivals of literature, jazz, film and mountains. Daytime and evening refreshments are available from light snacks to pre-theatre meals.

There are lifts to all levels and wheelchair users can get to all front-of-house and backstage areas. Both auditoria have enhanced-hearing and induction loop systems.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.theatrebythelake.com, where you can now choose your own seat and see the view of the stage before you buy. Alternatively, call the Box Office on 017687 74411 – it’s open from 9.30am to 8pm daily.

Location

The theatre is a five minute walk from the town centre (follow signs for the Lake), with Allerdale Borough Council’s Lakeside pay & display car park immediately adjacent to the theatre building. There are bus links with Ambleside to the south, Carlisle to the north, Penrith to the east and Cockermouth and Workington to the west.

The Wizard of Oz


Theatre by the Lake
14 November 2025 - 04 January 2026

We’re not in Keswick anymore…

From Aunty Em’s Cumbrian cottage Dorothy dreams of returning to her old life in London. But as she climbs out of the window to run away, a storm whisks her up, and she gets far more than she bargained for.

How do you get from Oz to London? There’s only one person who could possibly help – The Wizard!

For Christmas 2025 join Dorothy and her faithful companion Toto on an adventure down the yellow brick road, facing witches and flying monkeys and making new friends. Along the way she learns that there’s no place she’d rather be than home with Aunty Em.

Inspired by the book by L. Frank Baum, this brand new adaptation of the classic story features all your favourite characters – a very brave lion, a big hearted tinwoman and a super smart scarecrow, and brings Oz right up to date with original pop songs. It’s the perfect treat for all the family – just don’t forget your magic shoes!

Full Details »

Cumbrian Christmas Cracker


Theatre by the Lake
03 December 2025

Open the season of goodwill at the ‘Cumbrian Christmas Cracker’

A nostalgic evening of seasonal readings, poems, dialect and music. Author Alan Cleaver, Countrystride producer David Felton and special guests unpack a stocking of seasonal gifts featuring memories of past times, traditional yuletide food, a journey into Cumberland dialect and tunes, and the inevitable fire-side ghost story.

Full Details »

Little Gift


Theatre by the Lake
10 - 27 December 2025

Meet Ted, a cautious old soul living all alone in a busy, bustling town. He likes it that way. It’s quieter and safer. Until one extraordinary day, a surprise visitor turns his lonely life upside down.

Told by a very special performer, with a playful mix of puppetry, music and song, Little Gift is a tender and warm story about friendship and the joy to be found just around every corner.

Full Details »

Your enquiry will be sent directly to Theatre by the Lake. Please fill in as much detail as you can.

Sorry, something went wrong.
Thank you. Your message has been sent!

To help us avoid spam, please answer the following question: