Theatre by the Lake is delighted to announce their upcoming season of visiting work for June 2022 until January 2023, alongside a new home produced show for their Autumn season, The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh, directed by Artistic Director Liz Stevenson.

Writer of films including In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths and the multi-BAFTA and Golden Globe winning Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Martin McDonagh first cut his teeth as a writer for the stage. The Beauty Queen Of Leenane is set in County Galway where he spent his holidays as a child; the first production of the play earned McDonagh an Olivier nomination for Best Play, and it went on to win four Tony awards when it played on Broadway. Described as a dark comedy thriller, the story follows a mother and daughter living in a remote cottage trapped together in a poisonous cycle of daily battles with a backdrop of endless driving rain. When an unexpected suitor arrives on the scene, it sets in a motion a chain of events that build to a terrifying climax.

Hauntingly beautiful and blisteringly funny, it’s guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat.

Liz Stevenson said:

“This is one of those stories that stays with you. A psychological drama-comedy that has grit, wit and unforgettable characters, it’s a real gift for a director. Though it was McDonagh’s first play, it was nominated for a plethora of awards – winning four Tonys – and has rightly become recognised as a modern classic. It’s a thrill to be able and share this extraordinary play with our audiences.”

Alongside this production will be a plethora of visiting companies bringing events from gig musicals to talks, film, comedy, family friendly shows and drama, with something for all tastes and ages.

Highlights include Banff Mountain Festival World tour, The Tortoise and the Hare for little ones and their bigger people, and Witch Hunt, a spell-binding, surreal and darkly hilarious tale from A&E comedy. Audiences can also look forward to wonderful music with Edwina Hayes ‘The Sweetest Voice In England’, a carbon-neutral dance-party celebrating action for climate justice with Hot in Here from Pigfoot Theatre, and a rather special appearance at Christmas from one red-nosed reindeer in The Ballad of Rudy.

Theatre by the Lake is always proud to host local societies and community drama groups; this summer includes Keswick Peace and Human Rights Group will be presenting Hope is the Thing on 30 July, and Keswick Theatre Club, who will be performing Tom Stoppard’s Heroes.

The theatre is continuing to offer some guaranteed socially distanced performances for in-house shows in the Main House, including The Beauty Queen of Leenane.