A POP-UP theatre will return to Kendal next month after a sell-out debut last year.

Back by popular demand, award-winning theatre company Paines Plough will once again be pitching their Roundabout theatre dome at Abbot Hall for a series of cutting edge performances from Thursday October 6 to Sunday 9.

Ticket sales for Roundabout in Kendal last year were the highest on the company’s major UK-wide tour, which included high-profile venues such as The Lowry in Salford, and the success has tempted Paines Plough to return to Cumbria to showcase three brand new shows.

The programme begins with Growth, by Luke Norris - which shows on October 6, 8 and 9 - a comedy about a hip and trendy young guy who finds a lump on one of his testicles and has to make some serious life decisions.

I Got Superpowers for my Birthday, by Katie Douglas, which shows from Friday 7 onwards, is a fast-paced and fantasy-filled adventure following three almost-teens as they go on an epic quest to save the planet.

The final two days wrap up with Love, Lies and Taxidermy, by Alan Harris - a funny yet heart-warming boy meets girl love story exploring the the lives of young people and the difficulties they face with parents, peer pressure and relationships.
Love Lies and Taxidermy

The Roundabout spent August drawing packed houses at the Edinburgh Festival and Growth scooped the prestigious Scotsman Fringe First award, which is given to theatre that demonstrates outstanding originality.

Alongside these three performances, Roundabout will also host a variety of extra events including live music from the Kendal folk band The Hey Down Treaders, who performed a sold-out gig at Roundabout last year, stand-up comedian Ed Gamble with his new show Stampede and spoken word from Furness-based collective Some Some Unicorn.

Paines Plough are regarded as the "national theatre of new writing", and are renowned for their acclaimed, cutting-edge productions. Joint artistic director James Grieve said: “We’re thrilled to be returning to Kendal with Roundabout this October. We loved our visit last year, the stunning location outside Abbot Hall beside the river with Kendal Castle towering opposite, the warmth of the welcome from local people and audiences.

“Kendal has long been one of our favourite places to tour and we can’t wait to pop-up Roundabout once again with a festival of outstanding new plays and much more for everyone to enjoy.”

Tickets for all Roundabout theatre shows are available from the Brewery Arts Centre box office.