North West

A Little Princess – Theatre by the Lake

The retelling of a classic children’s story provides the perfect family production for Christmas at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick.

The World Premiere of A Little Princess at the Lake District theatre brings to life the magic of storytelling that touches the heart with the highs and lows of Sara Crewe’s young life – the daughter of a British Army Captain and a low-cast Indian woman during the time of the uprising against Colonial rule.

When Sara is brought to Lancashire, England for her education, the story of her life changes forever.

The original Frances Hodgson Burnett novel set in 1901 glamourises the British Empire, as we discovered in an interesting exhibition about the production in the first-floor bar and gallery space. However, Amanda Dalton’s adaptation is set in 1930s India and England. It examines prejudice in all forms – race, class and sex. While set in a time of turbulence and change, this is a warm, moving and entertaining production.

With storytelling at the heart of this play, it takes us around the world and back again, and is the perfect story to tell for Christmas – there’s even a Christmas party.

This production is perfectly cast and includes the local Youth Cast. Genevieve Sabherwal as Sara Crew and her fellow students of the Minchin Academy for Young Ladies, Natalie Blair as Ermengarde St John, Tori Burgess as Lavinia Smtye, Ella Bunlop as the IT girl Lottie Legh and the young servant Becky played by Eve Pereira are so believable as schoolgirls you can’t distinguish them from the Youth Cast members playing their pupils pals.

The friendship between Sara and bullied Ermengarde is so heartwarming, as is Sara’s desire to befriend servant Becky.

Meriel Schofield as the headmistress Maria Minchin brings to mind the headteacher in Roald Dahl’s Matilda, yet with a heart that has understandably been hardened by life. Victoria Brazier as her softer sister, Amelia is the ying to Maria’s yang, and her passion for the French master, Monsieur Dufarge played by Jonny McGarrity provides some brilliant moments in a delightful play.

McGarrity also plays Sara’s father, the handsome Captain Crewe who supports Gandy and the Indian people’s call for independence.

This story is woven together by the storyteller, Ishan Ramdas who has known Sara’s mother from childhood and the close friend of her father. Played beautifully by Ronny Jhutti, who has the audience in the palm of his hand as he narrates Sara’s story. His puppetry with the cat, and especially the rat is magical, as is this whole production.

All the actors give strong, moving performances and hilarious, joyful times in equal measure. Magical stories that are completely believable in the hands of these players – a masterclass in bringing this life story with strong-hearted morals to life.

You leave the theatre with a warm glow in your heart and is perfect for adults and children alike. The perfect storytelling to enjoy, especially at this time of goodwill to all men.