A gritting northern drama, Rails is the 21st century reincarnation of the great 50s and 60s kitchen sink dramas writes Karen Morley-Chesworth.

Simon Longman’s Rails handles the hard-hitting social issues of this era, while ensuring some corker lines that have the audience roaring with laughter.

Theatre by the Lake has launched their summer season with a roar of laughter with the Goodale brothers’ play featuring PG Wodehouse’s upper class comedy characters Jeeves and Wooster writes Karen Morley-Chesworth.

Tilted Wig Productions and Malvern Theatres presents their touring adaptation of the Dickens’ classic Great Expectations at Theatre by the Lake and Nichola McAuliffe as the iconic Miss Havisham steals the show, writes Karen Morley-Chesworth.

Tennessee Williams’ 1947 play, A Streetcar Named Desire has been driven into Theatre by the Lake by the English Touring Theatre with a new fresh perspective in a modern-day setting writes Karen Morley-Chesworth.

A powerful play, Director Chelsea Walker has ensured she maximises the hard hitting and at times difficult piece to watch, yet casts a beauty over the production.

The spirit of the French icon Edith Piaf, the ‘little sparrow’ fills the auditorium as Elizabeth Mansfield takes centre stage at Theatre by the Lake’s Studio, writes Karen Morley-Chesworth.

This is no easy play to watch. Piaf’s sad and tragic life has been the subject of tabloids and biographies. However, Steven Trafford’s play devised with Mansfield and Annie Castledine brings a new perspective to the singer’s tale.

UNITY Theatre have kick started the new season at Theatre by the Lake with a dramatic musical experience that had the audience demanding more from Josette Bushell-Mingo and her trio, writes Karen Morley-Chesworth.

As I’ve previously said in previous reviews, I’m not the words biggest fan of Charles Dickens. It may be something to do with the tedious catchphrases used by some of his characters which does nothing to endear me to the story he’s trying to tell. The utterly ridiculous character names could also be a contributing factor with such ludicrous titles as Mr Pumblechook and Dick Swiveller (don’t ask…).

The classic children’s novel The Secret Garden gets a modern, dark makeover by Jessica Swale for Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake’s stunning Christmas production.

The modern set centres around a cube that could be a feature in Grand Designs, and is equally dramatic and versatile as a contemporary high end designer home. The two-story box opens to provide glimpses into the lives and backstories of the characters in this moving story of Empire, class, loss and compassion.

Theatre by the Lake have a real treat to complete the Summer 2017 rep offering, with the World premiere of American screenwriter, Laura Eason’s play Remarkable Invisible – and what a hit to complete the season.

Howard Breton’s new adaptation of a 19th century Swedish play is more than an everyday tale of mistress and servants.

Miss Julie was originally written by August Strindberg, and contemporary of Ibsen- which might give you a clue to the raw and cruel nature of the characters.

Shakespeare is like Marmite – it divides a room up into two sets of people; those who were taught the play as a text for an exam and those who were given the opportunity to discover the plays before pass marks were an issue, however Theatre By The Lake’s production this season can and will change all that.