Theatre by the Lake has been actively involved in the promotion and presentation of new writing since it opened in 1999.  There have been two major new writing initiatives – the New Cumbrian Play Competition in 2003 and tEXtPERIMENT in 2005 as well as the tenth anniversary commission for 2009.  Theatre by the Lake has commissioned debut plays from the following writers: 

Julie KcKiernan Tramping Like Mad
Charlotte Allen Only Available in Carlisle
Rick Thomas For All Time

Other new commissions have been: 

Sinbad: the Untold Tale by Charles Way
The Maid of Buttermere by Lisa Evans

The theatre has also been involved in projects with North Cumbria Playwrights, the Cumbria New Theatre Writing Forum and North West Playwrights.  We have regularly presented the Regional Premieres of the best contemporary writing in our Studio Theatre:

2002 In Flame by Charlotte Jones
2004 Blue / Orange by Joe Penhall
2005 A Number by Caryl Churchill
2007 Under the Blue Sky by David Eldridge
2007 Days of Wine and Roses adapted by Owen McCafferty

Workshops and readings, involving resident professional acting companies, have been regularly offered to writers from the region and further afield.  Cumbria Youth Theatre and subsequently Theatre by the Lake’s New Directions team have provided numerous new writing opportunities for Young People in the region.  There is also a Young Writers Group at Theatre by the Lake, for further information please contact Michael Eccles or Lynne Clarke on: 017687 72282 or e-mail: michael.eccles@theatrebythelake.com

Theatre by the Lake is delighted that Lisa Evans is working as Associate Playwright.  She is working on a brand new play for the theatre as well as contributing to the work of Storytree (Theatre by the Lake's outreach programme).

Unsolicited Scripts 

Theatre by the Lake does accept unsolicited scripts, but with no dedicated literary staff it can take some time to respond to each writer!  North West Playwrights reading service is used by the theatre and their reports are an important source of supportive constructive criticism for the writer. 

We undertake to read the first ten pages of any unsolicited script to gauge whether we feel there is enough potential for us to proceed to a full reading.  We will then offer written feedback or forward a report from North West Playwrights.  Following this we may consider offering script development time with our resident directors and acting companies. Please send scripts to:
Stefan Escreet, Associate Director, Theatre by the Lake, Lakeside, Keswick,
CA12 5DJ.  Enclose an s.a.e. with your script if you would like it returning.

If you are resident in North Cumbria and have a serious commitment to writing for the stage, screen or radio you may be interested in joining North Cumbria Scriptwriters.  This group meets at Theatre by the Lake on the last Thursday of every month at 7.30pm.  Contact Carol Donockley on 01228 547043 for further information.

Theatre by the Lake, Lakeside, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5DJ   |   Tel: 017687 74411   |   Site Map