Performing arts

There are a number of organisations and events involved with the performing arts in Allerdale, whether showcasing or creating new work. Each organisation or event listed is supported by Allerdale Borough Council.

Arts Out West

at venues throughout Allerdale and Copeland
c/o Copeland Borough Council, Whitehaven Commercial Park, Moresby Parks, Whitehaven, Cumbria CA28 8YD
Tel: 01946 852637    Email: bob.pritchard@copeland.gov.uk
www.allerdale.gov.uk/artsoutwest
Arts Out West is an innovative arts programme, which encourages and supports the use of village halls as venues. The programme regularly includes plays suitable for all ages, as well as a variety of musical concerts and talks. For more information visit the Arts Out West page.

Carnegie Arts Centre

Finkle Street, Workington, Cumbria CA14 2BD
Tel: 01900 602122   Email: carnegie@allerdale.gov.uk
www.allerdale.gov.uk/carnegie
The Carnegie Theatre stages a wide variety of shows including musical theatre and ballet. Visit their web page for more information or contact them to join their mailing list.

Changeling Productions

c/o Authwaite House, Fellside, Caldbeck, Wigton, Cumbria CA7 8HB
Tel: 016974 78004    Email: changelingproductions@hotmail.co.uk
Changeling Productions work across art forms with artists to produce theatre in site specific settings. They are experienced at working with school and community groups and are particularly interested in developing work with groups, which allows their creative exploration.
Changeling work with a range of professional artists, puppeteers, musicians, writers and film makers to deliver their projects. Examples include Solway Sagas (working with schools and communities to create stories, songs and performance reflecting their heritage - see image), 3 Miles Away (a performance project at Spennymoor swimming pool) and Elevation (performed on climbing walls). Changeling also hold residencies in schools to explore the use of storytelling, puppetry and music to develop children's communication and expressive skills.

The Kirkgate Centre

Kirkgate, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 9PJ
Tel: 01900 826448   Email: enquiries@thekirkgate.com
www.thekirkgate.com
The Kirkgate Centre is an independent arts trust based in a converted Victorian school building. It runs a wide-ranging year-round programme including touring theatre and one-man shows as well as performances by Cockermouth Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS). The Kirkgate also stages regular film screenings, music concerts and talks, and is used by a number of groups for classes in art, foreign languages, dance, drama and music.

Storytree

Cre8, 8 Oxford Street, Workington, Cumbria CA14 2AH
Tel: 01900 870111  Email: storytree@theatrebythelake.com
www.storytree.org.uk
Join us under the boughs of mystical Storytree. Let your imagination fly and create stories with us using theatre, movement and music.
We work with children and adults in schools and community centres, at festivals and in neighbourhoods. Together we are inspired to explore and celebrate the stories that bind us together. Every Storytree project is unique. Some sessions last an hour, some last months. The content changes but the aim remains the same; to free the imaginations of all who take part, to inspire them to listen, speak, create and collaborate.

Solway Arts Society

Nigel Sidaway - Secretary, The Gill House, Bromfield, Aspatria, Cumbria CA7 3ND
For tickets/details, tel Wigton Library: 016973 66150 or Billy Bowman's Music Shop: 01900 826708
Solway Arts is a voluntary charity promoting professional arts for the public in Allerdale. Their wide-ranging programme includes events throughout Allerdale, and shows by a number of reputable theatre companies. Past programmes have also included puppet shows, poetry readings, art and craft exhibitions, and jazz and classical concerts.

Theatre by the Lake

Lakeside, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5DJ
Tel: 017687 74411   Email: enquiries@theatrebythelake.com
www.theatrebythelake.co.uk
Theatre by the Lake opened in 1999 and is run by Cumbria Theatre Trust, a registered charity. It has a core summer season of repertory theatre with a year-round programme of visiting opera, ballet and drama companies, comedy acts and music concerts, exhibitions in the Friends' galleries, and daytime events.