Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.
It has been nominated in the The Stage Award for Community Project of the Year category in recognition of the theatre’s production of Every Brilliant Thing.
Every Brilliant Thing saw the theatre work with charities Every Life Matters, Papyrus and Andy’s Man Club to raise awareness and encourage conversations around suicide and mental health, and provide support for audiences and communities.
It ran at the theatre in Keswick and toured to community spaces in isolated communities across Cumbria in September and October of this year.
The production began with all theatre staff and volunteers undertaking suicide awareness training with Every Life Matters, and workshops with local community organisations We CAN Cumbria, Always Another Way, Healthy Hopes, Happy Mum’s Foundation and Andy’s Man Club.
Alongside every performance, the theatre created a Breakout Space that was manned by a volunteer trained in suicide awareness and contained signposting materials for audiences.
Each performance also offered post-show activity curated to enable reflection, connection and conversation about suicide and suicide prevention.
Every Brilliant Thing was written by Duncan Macmillan with actor, comedian and writer Jonny Donahoe. It was originally developed by Pentabus and Paines Plough and performed by Jonny Donahoe at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, in New York and on tour across the UK.
Theatre by the Lake’s production was directed by artistic director Liz Stevenson, designed by Alex Berry, with lighting design by Matt Leventhall and sound design by Mark Melville. It was performed by Andrew Turner.
Winners of The Stage Awards will be announced at a ceremony in London on January 29.
