We Are 25
Open: 19 August 2024 – August 2025
On 19 August 2024 Theatre by the Lake turns 25 and we’re marking the occasion by celebrating the people who were instrumental in the very beginnings of our theatre, the people who continue to be a huge part of our work today, and the people who we look forward to being a part of the next 25 years of our story.
There’s a few famous faces, plenty of people our regular visitors will recognise and a spotlight on young people and emerging artists that we’re fortunate to work with at the start of their journeys.
Theatre by the Lake began as a touring theatre that first visited Keswick in 1961 and took up permanent residence on the Lakeside car park in 1975. Lovingly known as ‘The Blue Box’, the theatre was renowned for its Repertory season and its unique location in one of the most idyllic places in the UK. In 1991 a campaign to build a permanent theatre building on site began and in 1999 the Theatre by the Lake we know today was officially opened by Dame Judi Dench.
Alongside the portraits, we’re celebrating favourite shows from our history with a floor dedicated to set, props, costumes and items that helped to bring each one to life, curated by Cumbrian designer Louie Whitemore.
Liz Stevenson and Simon Stephens, Joint CEOs of Theatre by the Lake, said: “Theatre by the Lake is an inspirational space in an extraordinary place, and the sense of community ownership and connection to the theatre is super strong. It was willed into existence by the community 25 years ago who had taken ‘The Blue Box’ to their hearts and embraced theatre in a small town. We wanted to tell the human story of Theatre by the Lake and its intangible heritage through 25 personal connections – one for each birthday year – and spotlight the theatre’s continuing impact on its community and the sector.”
Find the portraits in our Circle Gallery, and the shows in our Mezzanine Gallery.
Happy birthday to theatre in Keswick!
Audio Description by Anne Hornsby
