How would you cope with an eccentric old lady living in a battered van in the drive of your house for fifteen years? Writer Alan Bennett had to do just that and the story of his frustrating and hilarious encounter with neighbours, doctors, the social services and the indomitable Miss Shepherd herself, makes for a funny, touching, thoughtprovoking and truly original piece of theatre by one of England’s genuine national treasures.

Welcome to Leenane “…the murder capital of fecking Europe.” Coleman and Valene Connor should be mourning their father, who died in a shotgun ‘accident’, but they’d rather fight over a bag of crisps. Father Welsh is a terror for the drink and has doubts about Catholicism, apart from that he’s a fine priest. Can the Connor boys be saved from eternal damnation? More importantly will the girls’ under-twelves football team get through the Connaught semi-finals? Sparky, irreverent and savagely comic, The Lonesome West contains strong language, violence and abuse of kitchen appliances. Strong Language/Sexually Explicit

On the nihgt of 24 March 1895, one week before the begining of his trial, Oscar Wilde met with a palmreader. No-one knows exactly what transpired, but this is Neil Bartlett’s take on it. Suitable for all ages. Late night performance after certain shows of The Importance of Being Earnest. See Performance Diary on page

Cucumber sandwiches, a missing baby, ‘Bunburying’, a first class train ticket to Worthing and a somewhat large, black, leather handbag with handles to it… Oscar Wilde’s most famous play is one of the very wittiest and best-loved classic romantic comedies in the English language, providing entertainment as sparkling and refreshing as a glass of vintage champagne.

Shy loner Aston brings home Davies, a tramp with big ambitions. As Aston and his brother Mick dream of a better life, Davies tries to divide and conquer. But blood is thicker than water… Nobel prize-winner Harold Pinter masterfully explores the borderline between reality and fantasy in the play that made his name and his fortune when it was first produced in 1960. Part comedy, part tragedy, always compelling.

Meeting the guide for the day at Ravenglass station, the package kicks off with a short walk to the nearby bathhouse of the Roman Fort of Glannaventa, the remains of which are amongst the most substantial in the country. Next it’s a steam train through Miterdale and Eskdale to Dalegarth and Fellbites, where a freshly prepared lunch is served. Then it’s off by luxury mini buses to ascend the notorious Hardknott pass with its hairpin bends and 1-in-3 gradients. Mediobogdum, the Roman name for this stone-built fort, stands on a plateau about halfway up the ascent. The footings of the fort survive and the guide brings these to life, while also describing just what can be seen from this spectacular vantage point. Even the Isle of Man is visible on a clear day! Following more than adequate time for exploration and photography, it is back to Dalegarth to catch the steam train bound for Ravenglass. For all participators to enjoy this outstanding day out to the full we have to restrict num

Cucumber sandwiches, a missing baby, ‘Bunburying’, a first class train ticket to Worthing and a somewhat large, black, leather handbag with handles to it… Oscar Wilde’s most famous play is one of the very wittiest and best-loved classic romantic comedies in the English language, providing entertainment as sparkling and refreshing as a glass of vintage champagne.

The classic ‘40s American black comedy. Meet the Brewsters, aunts Abby and Martha love to poison lonely old men, Teddy thinks he’s the President and theatre-critic Mortimer hates the theatre. Then, one dark and spooky night, the third Brewster boy comes home. Jonathan is a competitive serial killer with an alcoholic plastic surgeon for a sidekick and a ‘hot stiff’ in the boot. Where will they hide the body? and will NYPD’s finest solve the case? A terrifyingly funny night for all the family!

Join Harry Kay of Natural England on a guided walk looking at how our mountains are looked after. Learn about how plants grow on the high fells, how they are farmed and what is being done to restore the landscape of the Buttermere Fells. Refreshments available at Little Town Farm tearoom on return. Booking essential. Grade: Hard Length: 8 miles Start: Little Town Farm, Newlands (NY234196)

Make A Noise during August with a series of musical instrument workshops. Suitable for ages 3 to 12 years.

An African woman arrives in England fleeing for her life, seeking safety and asylum. She is indefinitely confined, interrogated, humiliated and abused. She witnesses the cruelty of the authorities and their casual disregard for an individual’s human rights. In this poetic and passionate piece, she tells her story. “Kay Adshead’s angry stripped-down script bleeds humanity… Words in [her] hands are bullets.” The Independent

Wainwright recorded all the natural and standard ways up the Lakeland Fells, but he included also some routes that were out of the way, odd, eccentric and even in some cases, such as the ravines of Blencathra, downwright nasty. Ronald Turnbull explores in pictures and words some of Wainwright's nasty wayout ways. You are welcome to join us for an optional pint in the Mill Inn afterwards. Booking recommended. Venue: Mungrisdale Village Hall

Make A Noise during August with a series of musical instrument workshops. Suitable for ages 3 to 12 years.