Review: The Maid of Buttermere, Theatre by the Lake, Keswick

Mar 25 2009 by David Whetstone, The Journal

The Maid of Buttermere, Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, until April 18

A PACKED audience hugely enjoyed the world premiere of The Maid of Buttermere, set in 1802 in the early days of tourism in the Lakes.

The story tells the tale of Mary Robinson, a beautiful innkeeper’s daughter from Buttermere.

Joseph Budworth, author of an early travel guide to the Lakes, says she “looked like an angel and … is the reigning lily of the valley”.

The conman and bigamist John Hatfield, masquerad- ing as the aristocratic Colonel Hope, falls genuinely in love with Mary while “fishing” for a wealthy bride and they marry. He is discovered, taken to Carlisle and hanged.

Jonathan Keeble is excellent as Hope/Hatfield. While undoubtedly a love rat, his easy charm holds the audience’s sympathy and he is utterly convincing in confronting the dilemma of choosing a loveless marriage for money or following his heart.

His side-kick, Newton, is played with sinister relish by Howard Chadwick. Rebecca Pownall, as Mary, skilfully treads the tightrope of being guileless without appearing gormless.

Lisa Evans has done an excellent job of turning the slightly leaden prose of Melvyn Bragg’s novel into an enthralling drama.

Alan Sykes