The Farmer's Wife, a new play by Hannah Khalil at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick, is inspired by Helen Rebanks' bestselling memoir and focuses exclusively on three generations of women on a family farm. By excluding male characters, the production highlights the often-overlooked contributions of women to agricultural life and the emotional toll of maintaining a farm rooted in tradition and routine. The play emphasises the continuous labour, resilience and camaraderie required to sustain both family and land in an unforgiving, rapidly changing world.

The in-the-round production, directed by Liz Stevenson, depicts a single significant day through three female characters—Young, Older and Oldest—performed by Eireann Devlin, Christine Entwisle and Roberta Kerr respectively. The innovative set design by Louie Whitemore and affecting sound design by Mark Melville create an otherworldly atmosphere, with a wooden kitchen table at the centre serving as witness to both daily monotony and life-altering moments. The production runs at Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, until 10 October.