A theatre has announced the launch of its first festival.

Theatre by the Lake (TBTL) in Keswick will host its inaugural CumbriaFest from September 18 to October 31.

The festival is a celebration of stories created in, and inspired by, Cumbria.

CumbriaFest will showcase the talents of theatre makers in the area who have been supported by the theatre's Artist Development Network, Cumbrian Creatives, which was established in 2020.

The festival will start with The Dreamtime Fellrunner by Julie Carter, which is a poetic exploration of her life as a fellrunner.

This production is set to take audiences on a personal journey through the landscapes of Cumbria.

After its premiere in the TBTL Studio, the show will tour venues across Cumbria and beyond.

The festival will also feature the world premiere of TBTL's new commission, Steel, by local playwright, Lee Mattinson.

Steel, set in Mr Mattinson's hometown of Workington, follows the adventures of two lads on a town-wide treasure hunt.

The festival will also include a series of one-night shows, workshops, and social events, aimed at fostering a sense of community and providing opportunities for artists and audiences to shape the future of artist development at TBTL.

The theatre will donate £1 from every CumbriaFest ticket sold to support developing artists in Cumbria.

Artistic director of Theatre by the Lake, Liz Stevenson, said: "From lakes and mountains to post-industrial towns, farming and nuclear power, there are so many stories to tell about Cumbria, and there is a huge appetite from artists and audiences to come together and share in the stories that relate to us and our experiences.

"With a mix of plays, mixers and workshops, CumbriaFest connects audiences to the artists creating new plays and experiences right here on our doorstep, and every ticket sold contributes to supporting Cumbrian artists in the future."

The theatre invites artists, supporters of new writing, and theatre lovers to join in celebrating the creativity and talent that makes Cumbria special.

Tickets for CumbriaFest can be booked at www.theatrebythelake.com or by calling 017687 74411.

A 20 per cent discount is available for those booking for every CumbriaFest event.