The Wizard of Oz Gets Cumbrian Twist in Theatre by the Lake’s Festive Adaptation

When Dorothy kicks off her red boots in a Cumbrian cottage instead of a Kansas farm, you know you’re in for something delightfully different. The Wizard of Oz — a bold, newly written adaptation by Sonia and directed by Sarah Punshon — opens at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick on November 14, 2025, and runs through January 11, 2026. This isn’t just another revival. It’s a regional reimagining where the Yellow Brick Road winds through misty Lake District fells, and Aunt Em’s cottage sits beneath the shadow of Skiddaw. The twist? Dorothy doesn’t dream of Kansas. She dreams of London.

A Storm in the Lake District, Not Kansas

Forget tornadoes over flat plains. Here, a wild November squall sweeps through the fells as Dorothy, restless and lonely in her Aunty Em’s stone cottage, climbs out the window to escape. The wind doesn’t carry her to Oz — it *whisks* her there. The production leans into the geography of its home, blending the real, rain-slicked beauty of the Lake District with the surreal magic of Oz. Trees become talking guardians. The clouds above Bassenthwaite Lake morph into the Wicked Witch’s sky. Even the Emerald City’s glow is inspired by the way light catches on Derwentwater at dusk.

"Sonia’s version is so full of life, wit, and emotion, it’s a total joy to work on," said Punshon. "I can’t wait to share it with audiences in Keswick." And it shows. The script swaps out the original 1939 melodies for original pop songs — think indie folk meets Broadway — while keeping the emotional core intact. The Scarecrow isn’t just clever; he’s got a dry Cumbrian wit. The Tin Woman? She’s got a heart big enough to hold all the lost children of the fells. And the Lion? He’s terrified of sheep.

Accessibility and Awareness: Theatre That Sees Everyone

Theatre by the Lake didn’t just update the story — they updated the experience. This isn’t just a show for families. It’s a show for families, designed with care. The venue offers a Relaxed Performance on Thursday, November 27, 2025, with lowered sound, dimmed lights, and space to move. An Audio Described performance by Anne Hornsby follows on Saturday, December 6, 2025. On Saturday, December 13, 2025, both Captioned and British Sign Language performances are staged — a rare and thoughtful inclusion for a regional theatre.

And yet, it’s not all glitter and song. The production doesn’t shy away from darkness. Content warnings are prominently listed: haze, smoke, strobing lights, and — crucially — references to the death of a parent. These aren’t throwaways. They’re woven into Dorothy’s grief, her longing to return to a world that no longer exists. The Wicked Witch isn’t just evil — she’s a mirror of loss. "It’s comfort food," wrote the Keswick Reminder on November 22, 2025. "But the kind that comes with a sharp knife tucked in the crust."

Why This Matters Beyond Keswick

Theatre by the Lake, a charitable organization operating since 1963, has spent decades bringing professional theatre to a remote corner of England. This production isn’t just a Christmas show — it’s a statement. In an era when regional theatres struggle for funding and attention, this adaptation proves local stories can carry universal weight. By grounding Oz in the Lake District’s real landscapes — the peat moors, the glacial valleys, the sudden storms — it makes fantasy feel intimate. It’s not escapism. It’s homecoming.

Tickets start at £12 for the two-hour performance, including interval. Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult. Performances run nightly at 7:15pm, with matinees on weekends and holidays. The final show — January 11, 2026 — will mark the end of a 59-performance run that spans Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Day, and the quiet days after.

The Magic Is in the Details

The set design, as described in Theatre by the Lake’s November 18, 2025 blog post "Bringing Oz to Life," uses rotating panels painted with Cumbrian peaks and shifting skies. The Munchkins? They’re local schoolchildren from Keswick Primary. The pop songs? Written by a London composer who spent three weeks hiking the Pennine Way to find the right rhythm. Even the ruby slippers? They’re hand-stitched with wool felt dyed using lichen from Borrowdale.

"It’s not about replacing the original," said one stagehand, wiping sweat after a tech rehearsal. "It’s about letting the Lake District tell its own version of the same story. We’ve all lost someone. We’ve all wanted to go home. This just makes the journey feel like ours."

What’s Next?

After January 11, 2026, the production will close — but not disappear. Theatre by the Lake has already begun talks with other regional theatres about a touring version. Meanwhile, local schools are planning curriculum tie-ins, using the show to teach geography, grief, and creative writing. The script is expected to be published in 2027.

For now, Keswick is the only place you can see Dorothy’s boots crunch through real heather as she sings, "There’s no place like…" — and then pauses, looking up at the stars over the fells — "…this one."