News and diary dates

Twice a finalist: once a winner

We were delighted to be named finalists, for the second year running, in Cumbria Life's Culture Awards 2017, but we were absolutely bowled over to be winners this time! Against very stiff competition, we were declared Amateur Group of the year because the judges felt we had made good progress down our chosen road: from Amateur Dramatic Group to Community Theatre.

So this is a shout out for all the members of our community- our audiences, actors, backstage and front of house staff, people who come from far and wide to sing, play, perform at and watch our Open Mic Nights, groups who perform in our theatre, and the people of Wigton and surrounding area who have supported us all the way!

This is not just the culmination of several years of hard work: it is a waypoint on the journey, so while we are taking a little while to celebrate, we are not ceasing in our efforts to involve more and more people in our community.

The prize was to have the plays produced by local actors and performed in the Studio at Theatre by the Lake. The judge was Ian Forrest, then Artistic Director at Theatre by the Lake.

Ian's final selection was announced in September:
All Quiet on the Family Front, by Kevan France
This deceptively comic play is about a family confronting the secret guilt of their dead hero father. It will be directed and performed by members of Penrith Players.
Jerusalem by Jo Alberti, is set in the home of an Israeli couple who are expecting a visit from their soldier son on leave. Differences between the members of the family are exposed when a fleeing Palestinian hides in their house.
This play will be directed by Tony Parker from Workington Playgoers and performed by members of Keswick Players.
She Can't Not Be Doing Something by Robin Acland is a fast moving comedy in which actors form alliances and resolve personal conflicts while they help Constance to produce a pageant. The play will be directed and performed by members of Wigton Theatre Club.

The three plays will premier in the Studio at Theatre by the Lake on 7th April 2017, followed by a performance in Penrith Players Theatre on Saturday 8th April. Other performances, in Wigton's John Peel Theatre, and in the Theatre Royal Workington, are being planned. Tickets are on sale now for Theatre by the Lake and going fast.