Theatre by the Lake's Firework-Maker’s Daughter is an explosive festive adventure

Theatre by the Lake, Keswick

Adapted by Stephen Russell from Philip Pullman’s The Firework-Maker’s Daughter, this explosive festive adventure has all the best elements of a traditional British pantomime.

The production is set in the East with a king, a band of pirates/performers, and a father bringing up his only child, daughter Lila, alone.

Vera Chok as Lila and her street urchin friend Chulak played by Mitesh Soni may be at the heart of the storyline, but the life-size white elephant steals the show; from the moment the giant enters the production moves up a gear.

And for the semi-slapstick element, Declan Wilson as Mitesh’s uncle with his amazing troupe of Laura Cox, Matt Nalton and Phil Corbitt are perfect.

This is the story of a firework-maker, and the daughter who has to make a journey that’s her rite of passage.

From river pirates to jungle scenes, volcanoes to the palace, the imaginative set calls you into the story.

The music is an essential piece of the patchwork of sensory experiences that makes this a very special piece of theatre.

Runs until January 7.