A proper theatre on the lakeside at Keswick, which matters when the Lakes weather does what it does. The main house runs grown-up drama most of the year, but the school holidays bring something for families: Comedy Club 4 Kids and Michael Rosen in October half term, A Christmas Carol and two smaller shows over Christmas, then picture-book shows like The Singing Mermaid and Tom Thumb in February and at Easter.
The small shows are the ones to aim for with little ones. Pinocchio this Christmas is in the Studio, an hour long, for 4 and over, and the puppet is carved on stage by a puppeteer, which is the sort of thing children talk about in the car. Relaxed performances keep the doors open so you can step out and come back.
Lakeside car park is next door and run by the council, pay and display. Under 16s have to be with an adult for every show.
What it costs: Priced per show. Comedy Club 4 Kids in October half term is £16 (£12 under 26s); the Christmas Studio show Pinocchio is £15 (£12 under 26s). Children under 18 months need a lap seat ticket.
Keswick's big Christmas show, made in-house with the music company Goblin: Scrooge, Marley's ghost and the full Dickens, age 6 and up. There is a relaxed performance on 24 November, an audio described show on 5 December, and captioned and signed shows on 12 December.
A 55 minute Christmas show for ages 3 and up in the Studio, with magic, music and a malfunctioning robot helping save a forgotten town's Christmas spirit. No interval and under an hour, which is exactly the right length for a first theatre trip. Under 16s must be with an adult ticket holder.
An hour of puppetry and shadow play from Indefinite Articles: Geppetto carves Pinocchio on stage and brushes turn into a fox. Age 4 and up, and a good one for the week after Christmas.
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