Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake have appointed Simon Stephens as new executive director, to work alongside artistic director Liz Stevenson in a joint leadership role.
Working together they aim to develop the Theatre as a leading cultural hub with a vibrant programme of home-produced theatre, top-quality touring work and community events.
Simon will join the team in mid-March from his current role of head of commercial and visitor experience at Contact in Manchester, where he also led on the re-opening campaign following a major capital redevelopment. His career also includes a successful tenure as commercial manager at the Everyman and Playhouse in Liverpool.
Chair of the Theatre by the Lake board, Charles Carter, said: “Simon will bring significant commercial expertise to developing the theatre’s business strategy, including the development of partnerships locally and nationally, building on the theatre’s reputation for developing the arts in Cumbria. He brings the commitment, enthusiasm and commercial experience that we were looking for to take on this important role.”
Simon said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Theatre by the Lake and making this beautiful region a home for my family. I’m relishing the opportunity to work with Liz and the team in furthering the commitment to championing Cumbrian voices, producing outstanding work and embedding the theatre as a welcoming, vibrant hub at the heart of the Keswick community.”
And Liz Stevenson welcomed the appointment too: “I am thrilled that Simon is joining us. His passion, drive and experience will help us to secure the theatre’s future as a vital centre of creativity for Cumbria and a producing theatre whose work is celebrated on the national stage. The team are excited about what Simon will bring to the organisation, and we look forward to welcoming him to Keswick.”
The theatre have also announced that their Christmas show this year will be the world premiere of A Little Princess, adapted by Amanda Dalton from the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett (author of The Secret Garden).
And coming soon is a weekend of films as part of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour (Feb 17/18).