Theatre by the Lake New Season includes Abigail's Party and The 39 Steps

The Theatre by the Lake has nine plays that will be seen on the theatre’s two stages in 2015, including The Snow Queen, Suddenly Last Summer and The 39 Steps.

The year begins with a production of Two by Jim Cartwright (writer of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice), which runs from 21 March – Tue 14 April. Two actors play 14 colourful characters who gather in their local pub to share their tales, from opening time to last orders. This production will go on tour to venues across Cumbria – including Torpenhow Village Hall, Wreay Village Hall and The Beggar’s Theatre in Millom.

The Summer Season of six plays returns on Sat 23 May. It brings together 12 actors to live and work in Keswick for seven months, as they rehearse and perform the plays in rotation until 7 November.

The three Main House plays are:

The 39 Steps, adapted by Patrick Barlow from the Hitchcock film, which was in turn based on John Buchan’s adventure novel. Four actors play 100 characters in our hero’s adventure to solve a mystery, clear himself of a murder charge and save his king and country.

Abigail’s Party, Mike Leigh’s comic portrayal of suburban life in the 1970s. Beverly and Laurence are entertaining their new neighbours and divorcée Susan, but what begins as a genteel drinks soireé gradually descends into quarrels and recriminations.

Fallen Angels by Noel Coward. Best friends Julia and Jane are enjoying a weekend of freedom while their husbands are away playing golf. They’re thrown into confusion by the unexpected arrival of a lover they both enjoyed an affair with in their younger days.

The three Studio plays are:

Suddenly Last Summer by Tennessee Williams. This classic will be preceded by Williams’ short play Mister Paradise.

The Lady of the Lake, a new play by Benjamin Askew. As the glorious regin of King Arthur draws to a close, the world needs a new hero. This play brings Camelot to the heart of Cumbria. An actor as well as writer, Askew has appeared in many shows at Theatre by the Lake.

Enlightenment by Shelagh Stephenson. Lia and Nick are distraught when their 20-year-old son Adam goes missing in Indonesia. Six months later he reappears on their doorstep covered in scars. But is it really him?

The Christmas 2015 production will be The Snow Queen, adapted by Charles Way. Recently adapted into the film Frozen by Disney, the play is set in a magical frozen land.