Theatre by the Lake’s Main House will be turned into a giant adventure playground when they stage their production of The Borrowers,which is set to be a perfect treat for children age 7+ and their families.

The much-loved children’s classic by Mary Norton has been adapted for the stage by Theresa Heskins and will be presented with the permission of the deFaria Company. The show opens on Fri 25 November and runs until Sat 14 January.

Family audiences will get to experience what it’s like to live as a Borrower as they’re pulled into the quirky, wonky, miniature world below the floorboards, where Arrietty and her family live. But adventure awaits as Arrietty refuses to be boxed in by her family’s caution about the big world outside. When she decides to go exploring, she comes across the dreaded Human Beans and nothing will ever be the same again.

The Borrowers family will be played by Courtney George (101 Dalmatians, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre; Shake The City, Leeds Playhouse and Greenwich Theatre) as Arrietty; Michael Blair (The Last Ship UK & Dublin Tour 2018; A Doll’s House, North East Tour) as Pod; and Katherine Toy (The Man in the White Suit, Wyndhams and Bath; Much Ado about Nothing, Rose Theatre, Kingston) as Homily.

Also featuring in the talented cast is Owen Aaronovitch (The Tale of Little Bevan, Pentabus Theatre Company; Treasure Island, The New Vic Newcastle Under Lyme) as Crampfurl and Uncle Hendreary; Sarah Groarke (Jane Eyre, Stephen Joseph Theatre/New Vic Theatre; My White Best Friend, Eclipse Theatre) as Mrs Driver/Lupy; Tonny Shim (Runesical, Gigglemug Theatre at the Edinburgh Fringe) as The Boy; and John Tate (Henry VI Rebellion, Henry VI War of The Roses, RSC; Ripples, Nation Theatre of Wales/Sherman Theatre) as Spiller.

The production will also feature a Youth Cast; 18 talented young performers from the local area (making up three companies of six) will play the younger members of the extended Borrowers’ family.

Zoë Waterman, whose directing credits at Theatre by the Lake include the hugely successful The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, is returning to direct this production. Zoë commented: “I love The Borrowers because it’s an adventure story where little people triumph. It asks us to imagine what it might be like to live in fear, hidden from the world and the bravery it takes to flee your home and everything you know in search of safety and a new life. I’m thrilled to be returning to TBTL to tell this tale about the importance of friendship and family, and the joy, freedom and possibilities of the big world we live in”.

The creative team includes: Bronia Houseman (designer), Greg Last (Musical Director), Ben Cowans (Lighting Designer), Hattie North (Sound Designer) and Cydney Uffindell-Phillips (Movement Director).

Fizzing with lots of action, magical storytelling and original music, this show promises to surprise and delight family audiences this Christmas.

Tickets are on sale and start from £10. Find out more and book tickets via the theatre’s Box Office on 017687 74411 or at theatrebythelake.com.

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