Like the confident steps of a fell runner’s steps, as they ascend and descend the mountainous landscape of Cumbria, the words crated a beautiful beat, captivating the audience at the premiere of Julie Carter’s new work, The Dreamtime Fellrunner, writes Karen Morley-Chesworth.
In the intimate Studio at Theatre by the Lake, the words carried used all to the fells outside, and took us on a journey of discovery. The production is part of the inaugural CumbriaFest – a festival of new writing showcasing the local theatre makers that Theatre by the Lake have supported since establishing our Artist Development Network, Cumbrian Creatives, in 2020.
It is hard to believe this is Carter’s first performance role, as her natural warmth and talent of talking to a theatre of people as if she is taking to you personally, creates a bond between writer and audience.
Having watched fell runners in the wild, I have often wondered how they do it, but more curious about why – and in this one woman play, I was given the secret. It made me feel like I could walk out of the theatre and just run up Scafell (not advisable without the right skills, training and footwear).
Former GP, Julie Carter has the ability to captivate people with her crafting of words, that express the deepest emotions which have you laughing and crying.
Having recently read her autobiography, Makin a Mackem, I was excited to see this production, and I was not disappointed. Born with a curved spin and seriously damaging her pelvis in a climbing accident, running doesn’t come easy to the woman from Sunderland who fell in love with the Lakes as a child, when she came on a school outdoor pursuits trip.
Scafell drew her back to Cumbria. She has made her home in Keswick where she can view and run her fell, her mountain, her Scafell.
Fellrunning up, down and across the mountainous landscape is gruelling. It’s not for the fainthearted, but this piece makes you feel the the exhilaration, the release and the joy it brings. Carter shares her philosophy that it’s painful, but she is in pain anyway, whether she runs or not, so she might as well do what she wants and is passionate about doing it anyway.
Carter describes her calling to the fells as her ‘religion’. And this piece is like her full Mass that celebrates and shares the pure pleasure and essential need to run in the hills. From boggy land covering feet, legs and body in mud to exhilarating views from the peaks, this beautiful production takes you on a trek across the fells and into the sole of this fell runner, without you even leaving your seat.
There are two guest runners, from Keswick and Eden runners clubs, who briefly join Carter on the small stage, and a simple backdrop of Scafell. But this small space holds the huge landscape, the natural habitat of the fell runner, created by the words of Carter. The production is well directed by Daniel Bye, with a pace that any fell runner would be proud of.
This is Carter’s first performance, and she delivers her work with honesty and humour. It is as beautiful and uplifting as the fells she shares with us. Like her, it is an inspiration.
The second half of the evening includes a Q&A session and time to reflect on what our passions are. What provides the outlet of living in the joy of the moment.
The honesty of the answers, and the uncertainty of the questions make each performance unique – like every run and every fell runner. And walking into the unknown on stage, must be like running into the fells with just a map, compass and love of what you are doing. Carter appears to be in the place she has always meant to be.
The Dreamtime Fellrunner now goes on a run across Cumbria, performing. Catch the fellrunner where you can, and enjoy this unique, inspiring and beautiful production.
The Dreamtime Fellrunner Tour Dates – 2025
- Washington Arts Centre Sunderland Feb 13
- Fort William Mountain Festival 16 Feb
- Eastgate Theatre Peebles 20 Feb,
- The Story House Chester 28 Feb
- Darlington Hippodrome 23 March
She will also be touring in Cumbria through Arts Out West & Highlights Rural touring in the Spring, dates and venues to be confirmed.
- For more information about CumbriaFest and the next production Steel visit theatrebythelake.com
