Lakeside Theatre

11/06/2026

We are very excited to host Essex Book Festival for the incredible The Writers Room event on Saturday 13 June!

Tickets are still available via the Essex Book Festival website: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-writers-room-day-pass-tickets-1985727915650

Join Essex Book Festival and the University of Essex for a packed day of inspiring talks, creative workshops and industry insights this Saturday, 13 June.

Head to our Lakeside Theatre to meet acclaimed authors, take part in multi-genre discussions, pitch your ideas to publishing professionals, and explore the fascinating J.A. Baker Archive.

Whether you're an aspiring writer or a passionate reader, there's something for everyone.

10/06/2026

Get your tickets for 'The Pl***oy of the Western World' on Thursday 11 June, and Lesley Manville in 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses' on 25 June now! https://lakesidetheatre.org.uk/whats-on/shows-by-month/?theme=lakeside-theatre-2024&cat=screenings

Don't miss National Theatre screenings at the Lakeside Theatre this June!

Watch Nicola Coughlan in The Pl***oy of the Western World on Thursday 11 June, and Lesley Manville in Les Liaisons Dangereuses on 25 June.

Lakeside Theatre events are open to everyone: students, staff and members of the local community.

09/06/2026

🎫 We have a handful of complimentary tickets to see Lakeside Theatre alumni, Deanna Strasse, perform her one-woman show 'Dead Doves and Lemons' at the Etcetera Theatre in London on 12 June (7pm showing)!

🥰 Send us a DM to get your name on the list and for more details. ❤️❤️❤️

*Dead Doves and Lemons OR Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Fan Fiction (but were too afraid to ask)*

A one-woman show that celebrates storytellers.Your loved one just came out as a (GASP!) fan fiction writer. How do you respond to that? What will the neighbours think? What is Omega slick, anyway? Don't worry because fan fiction veteran MinaRoseTook is here to answer all your questions.

Join us on an eclectic, hilarious, and heartfelt journey where we’ll explore transformative works: how fan fiction came to be, why people like it, why people hate it, and why it's a valid form of art. But this isn't going to be your usual lecture. It's part theatre, part puppet show, part writing exercise, and so much more. Who knows...maybe you'll even write something!

🍋 “Deanna Strasse…has created a brilliant piece that is not only interesting but educational in a fun way.” — GJD Review, Colchester Fringe Festival
🐦 “Truly beautiful...I laughed until I cried.” - The Cockpit Audience Member (June 2025)
🎥 “This show SLAPS!” - The Cockpit Audience Member (June 2025)
🎭 “I’ve been thinking a lot about this show. It’s stuck with me.” - Lambeth Fringe Audience Member (October 2025)
💕 “A joy to watch!” - Colchester Fringe Audience Member (October 2025)

Find out more: https://www.citizenticket.com/events/etcetera-theatre/dead-doves-and-lemons-or-everything-you-rsquo-ve-ever-wanted-to-know-about-fan-fiction-but-were-too-afraid-to-ask/

29/05/2026

📽️🎭 National Theatre Live: The Pl***oy of the Western World 🎭📽️

📌 Thursday 11 June, 7pm at the

By John Millington Synge, directed by Caitríona McLaughlin.

Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton) joins Éanna Hardwicke (The Sixth Commandment) and Siobhán McSweeney (Derry Girls) in John Millington Synge’s riveting play of youth and self-discovery.

Pegeen Flaherty’s life is turned upside down when a young man walks into her pub claiming that he’s killed his father. Instead of being shunned, the killer becomes a local hero and begins to win hearts, that is until a second man unexpectedly arrives on the scene…

Filmed live on stage at the National Theatre, Caitríona McLaughlin directs this darkly funny tale full to the brim with secrets.

🎟️ Get your tickets here: https://lakesidetheatre.org.uk/events/national-theatre-live-the-playboy-of-the-western-world/

28/05/2026

📢📝 TOMORROW!!! Re-Write at the Lakeside Theatre 📢📝

This Friday 29th of May at 7:30pm at the main house, will celebrate its annual new writing competition, championing up-and-coming writing talent within the Theatre Arts Society.

🎟️ Get your tickets here: https://lakesidetheatre.org.uk/events/re-write-2026/

These will be the shows competing for the trophy:

🔸Always Online (featured)

Always connected. Never present.

Always Online follows Lin, a newly promoted manager whose life is carefully organised by an AI assistant.

But as work pressure, wedding expectations, family judgement and fear of falling behind pile up, Lin turns to AI for more than just practical help.

What happens when the tools we use to cope start shaping the way we think, feel and love?

Credits:

Write and Direct by Aniya He

Lin by Ashely Bailey

A.I. / Waiter B by Conor Beeney

Eric by Ecemsu Bilen

Father / Colleague A / Waiter A by Tom Mumford

Lighting Design by Eben McCarthy (University of Essex)

Sound Design by Aniya He

Sound Operate by Elliot Gebbers

Stage Management by Tallula Barry Ashdown

Production support by TAS and Lakeside Theatre

Special thanks to Daniel Casey, Naiden Janes, Becca Farrell

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🔸Born to Fall

That title couldn't possibly be foreshadowing, right?

After the power goes out at Aspinwall and Dillinger enterprises, three individuals are stuck 30 stories up with only each other to keep themselves entertained. All three are here to see Mr Francis Dillinger, CEO of the company, but not everything is as it seems. Hilarious and surprising twists could be around any corner.

Credits:

- Fin Armstrong: Jason, Writer, Director

- Emily Jones: Sarah

- Thomas Mumford: Bob

- Shirin Ardekani: Patricia

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🔸Is it Raining?

Can we escape our past?

Triste finds herself running into Laurel's bedroom after being assaulted, only to find her friend has been assaulted too. The two women have to decide what to do as they wait for Laurel’s abuser to return.

Credits:

Triste : Ecemsu Bilen

Laurel : Lou Nailo

Pat: Lin Tunpasit

Lisa: Freya Moore

Archie: Lara Brighten

Freddie: Lou Nailo

Director / Writer : Henri McCabe

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28/05/2026

🚨📝 2026 Re-Write shows revealed 📝🚨

This Friday 29th of May at 7:30pm at the main house, will celebrate its annual new writing competition, championing up-and-coming writing talent within the University of Essex Theatre Arts Society

These will be the shows competing for the trophy:

🔸Always Online (featured)

Always connected. Never present.

Always Online follows Lin, a newly promoted manager whose life is carefully organised by an AI assistant.

But as work pressure, wedding expectations, family judgement and fear of falling behind pile up, Lin turns to AI for more than just practical help.

What happens when the tools we use to cope start shaping the way we think, feel and love?

Credits:

Write and Direct by Aniya He

Lin by Ashely Bailey

A.I. / Waiter B by Conor Beeney

Eric by Ecemsu Bilen

Father / Colleague A / Waiter A by Tom Mumford

Lighting Design by Eben McCarthy (University of Essex)

Sound Design by Aniya He

Sound Operate by Elliot Gebbers

Stage Management by Tallula Barry Ashdown

Production support by TAS and Lakeside Theatre

Special thanks to Daniel Casey, Naiden Janes, Becca Farrell

---

🔸Born to Fall

That title couldn't possibly be foreshadowing, right?

After the power goes out at Aspinwall and Dillinger enterprises, three individuals are stuck 30 stories up with only each other to keep themselves entertained. All three are here to see Mr Francis Dillinger, CEO of the company, but not everything is as it seems. Hilarious and surprising twists could be around any corner.

Credits:

- Fin Armstrong: Jason, Writer, Director

- Emily Jones: Sarah

- Thomas Mumford: Bob

- Shirin Ardekani: Patricia

---

🔸Is it Raining?

Can we escape our past?

Triste finds herself running into Laurel's bedroom after being assaulted, only to find her friend has been assaulted too. The two women have to decide what to do as they wait for Laurel’s abuser to return.

Credits:

Triste : Ecemsu Bilen

Laurel : Lou Nailo

Pat: Lin Tunpasit

Lisa: Freya Moore

Archie: Lara Brighten

Freddie: Lou Nailo

Director / Writer : Henri McCabe

---

🎟️ Get your tickets here: https://lakesidetheatre.org.uk/events/re-write-2026/

20/05/2026

A 10 minute speed date with an industry professional for aspiring writers.

20/05/2026

We are very excited to host Essex Book Festival and their The Writers Room event on Saturday 13 June!

Tickets available now, student tickets only £15: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-writers-room-day-pass-tickets-1985727915650

Join Chloe Hadjimatheou, the Observer's Narrative Editor who broke the incredible story of the lies behind the best selling memoir and film The Salt Path and author James Canton, to discuss what the future holds for Nature Memoir.

20/05/2026

Congratulations Samuel!!

Congratulations to Essex alumnus and Lakeside Theatre technician Samuel Button-Bell, who has won a national Fringe Theatre Awards for his lighting design on the acclaimed play Two Come Home.

The production premiered at Lakeside Theatre before touring the UK, showcasing the incredible creative talent emerging from Essex’s theatre community.

19/05/2026

🎉Congratulations to our very own Samuel Button-Bell who won Best Lighting Design for Two Come Home at the Fringe Theatre Awards on Sunday 17 May!!

We already knew Samuel (not Sam) is the best LX designer out there, but we are SO PROUD of him!

🏆 Please join us in giving Samuel a standing ovation 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Read more about Samuel's award winning night: https://www.essex.ac.uk/news/2026/05/18/lakeside-theatre-technician-wins-national-fringe-theatre-award

(words by Christian Leppich for University of Essex)