Theatre by the Lake has unveiled plans to stage the world premiere of a moving new play, "The Farmer’s Wife." Inspired by Helen Rebanks’ best-selling memoir, the production is scheduled to run from September 18 through October 10, 2026, offering audiences an intimate glimpse into the heart of rural life.
The all-female-led production was penned by award-winning playwright Hannah Khalil and will be directed by Liz Stevenson, the artistic director and joint chief executive officer of Theatre by the Lake. Shaped by real-life testimonies from women across Cumbria's agricultural sector, the raw and deeply human drama captures both the striking natural beauty and the profound emotional weight of a lifetime rooted securely in the land.
The narrative unfolds across a single day on a working family farm, tracking the overlapping lives of three generations of women. Within a shared kitchen space, a grandmother, mother, and daughter navigate the harsh realities of modern agriculture alongside the invisible labor required to sustain a household. Khalil's script explores complex contemporary themes with warmth and humor, honoring the resilience of rural communities facing unprecedented modern challenges.
Presented in the round in the theatre's Main House, the upcoming staging is designed to evoke the distinct atmosphere of the surrounding Lake District fells. The creative team promises a highly stylized, atmospheric experience that functions as a direct theatrical love letter to the local Cumbrian landscape.
The project marks a spiritual successor to the venue's acclaimed staging of "A Shepherd’s Life," which was adapted from a memoir by regenerative farming advocate James Rebanks—the husband of Helen Rebanks. By continuing to elevate these authentic regional narratives, the venue reinforces its long-standing commitment to championing distinct local voices that carry a powerful national resonance. Tickets for the highly anticipated autumn production are officially on sale, with the full acting company and creative team lineup expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
