Theatre News

Conrad Lynch announces first season at Theatre by the Lake

The season includes new plays by Laura Eason and Nicholas Pierpan

Conrad Lynch, artistic director of Theatre by the Lake
Conrad Lynch, artistic director of Theatre by the Lake

Conrad Lynch's first season at Theatre by the Lake will include a new play about the life of William Wordsworth, and an Arthur Miller play directed by John Dove.

William Wordsworth by Nicholas Pierpan will look at the nature poet's life in the Lake District as he struggled with family, money and success. It takes place in 1812, the peak of his struggles, and will open at the theatre on 31 March.

The theatre's summer season will include a major revival of Terence Rattigan’s After the Dance on 25 May, and a new production of Shakespeare's As You Like It, in collaboration with Shared Experience, which opens on 8 July.

The main house will also host the regional premiere of Handbagged by Moira Buffini from 16 June. The comedy goes behind closed doors at Buckingham Palace and asks what the Queen and Margaret Thatcher talked about.

In the studio, John Dove (Farinelli and the King) will direct a production of Arthur Miller's Two-Way Mirror.The production will tour to a range of rural venues.

The season at the studio will also include a host of new writing. A Theatre by the Lake, Royal Exchange and Sherman Theatre co-production of Alan Harris' comedy How My Light is Spent tackles loneliness and isolation.

Howard Brenton’s adaptation of Strindberg’s Miss Julie will run at the theatre before transferring to London's Jermyn Street Theatre.

Concluding the season is the world premiere of Remarkable Invisible, a family drama about disappointment and expectations. It is written by Laura Eason, who is best known for her play Sex With Strangers and working on Emmy award-winning series House of Cards.