The Theatre by the Lake in Keswick is a rarity. It is one of a few remaining repertory theatres in the UK where actors perform in a different play every night throughout a seven month-long season. There are no big names. The audiences of tourists and locals are attracted instead by the variety of productions, from high drama and classics to comedy. This year, productions like Abigail's Party and The 39 Steps have drawn in bigger crowds than ever before.
It's a tremendous challenge for a dozen actors to rehearse and perform in six different plays between them, and there have been occasions when an actor hasn't been able to cope. But Rep, as it's known, has largely died off, with most theatres these days becoming venues for national touring productions or bands performing a one-night stand. Yet the Rep tradition has thrived at the Theatre by the Lake for sixteen years since it opened on its permanent site just steps from Lake Derwentwater. Previously, it was the base for a collection of mobile wooden boxes which were transported around the country and used for performances in towns which had no theatre.
The Theatre has become the biggest employer in Keswick, with one hundred full- and part-time jobs. Also crucial is the role of more than 200 volunteers who raise funds and support staff on performance nights by acting as ushers and selling ice cream and hot drinks. Next year, a new cafe will open on the site to bring in an anticipated £100,000 in extra revenue, as well as a dozen new jobs helping to secure the theatre's long-term survival.
