From young cast to professional debut…

For Keswick performer Leah Montgomery, appearing in Calendar Girls the Musical at Theatre by the Lake is much more than another role. It marks a rather special homecoming and her professional stage debut.

Leah recently spoke to Andrew Keogh from the Keswick Reminder about growing up in the town, her journey into professional theatre and what it means to return to a stage that played an important part in her childhood.

Born and raised in Portinscale, Leah attended St Herbert’s Primary School and Keswick School, where she studied Music, Drama, English and Politics in sixth form. Music and performance were already a big part of her life, with singing lessons from local teacher Ann Capstick and violin lessons with Louise Peacock.

She also credits former Drama and Dance teacher Helen Westle with helping to set her on the path towards professional training.

“She inspired me both as a person and a performer,” says Leah. “She encouraged and helped me through my drama school auditions.”

Those auditions eventually took Leah to The Arden School of Theatre in Manchester, where she studied Musical Theatre and graduated in 2023. During her training, her roles included Julie Jordan in Carousel, Mal Beineke in The Addams Family and Frenchie/Ensemble Swing in Sweet Charity.

But Theatre by the Lake had been part of Leah’s theatrical life long before drama school.

Growing up, she appeared in several TBTL productions as a member of the young cast, including Keep Smiling Through, Rogue Herries and Peter Pan. “Being in these shows at Theatre by the Lake are some of my favourite childhood memories,” she says. “It makes it even more exciting to be returning to the TBTL stage as a professional.”

A professional debut at home

In Calendar Girls the Musical, Leah plays Jenny, the rebellious daughter of WI chairwoman Marie.

“She’s strong-willed and sharp-tongued and definitely isn’t afraid to be herself,” says Leah. “She’s quick-witted and I think audiences will really like her!”

Leah joined the production as part of the supporting cast for its Theatre by the Lake run, following the show’s season at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre. Working with Associate Director Chantell Walker, the new cast members have been encouraged to find their own interpretations of the characters while becoming part of an already established production.

“Chantell has been very keen to develop our own authentic versions of each character within the show,” Leah explains, “so it really feels as though I’ve been able to put my own stamp on Jenny.”

Making that professional debut in Keswick is particularly meaningful to Leah. “I think at drama school there can be an expectation that you will instantly move to London or stay in a major city when you graduate – but that’s not always the path everyone wants to follow.

“I love living in Keswick, and I’m feeling very lucky to be a part of such a heartwarming show in – and I’m biased! – the most beautiful place.”

From Keswick student to Keswick teacher

Leah’s connection with the local performing arts community has continued since completing her professional training. She now teaches singing at Keswick School – the same school where she developed her own talents – and is a front of house volunteer here at Theatre by the Lake.

“It feels very full circle to be able to teach the next generation of Keswickian performers,” she says.

Her own love of music began at home, too. Leah shared it particularly closely with her Grandad, a gifted self-taught pianist who encouraged her singing and violin playing from an early age. “He was always very proud to watch me perform,” she remembers. “I still remember him buying me my first full set of violin strings!”

Leah knew from around the age of 12 that she wanted to attend drama school and ultimately chose musical theatre because it allowed her to continue developing all three disciplines she loved: singing, dancing and acting. For her, the attraction of acting lies in being able to step temporarily into someone else’s life.

“You get free rein to explore a life that isn’t your own and to make choices that aren’t yours – it’s very fun,” she says. “And I think my favourite thing about performing musically is how music can transport you. It can make you, as an audience member or a performer, feel emotions that spoken word can’t evoke on its own.”

Humour with a lot of heart

That combination of storytelling and music is one of the things Leah particularly loves about Calendar Girls the Musical.

She describes the show simply as “humour with a lot of heart”.

“It’s got some deeply moving moments which explore loss and finding strength in others around you in life’s hardest moments. This is paired with a brilliant script that has you roaring with laughter unexpectedly. It’s wonderfully honest and beautifully written.” And, having grown up watching shows at Theatre by the Lake, performed here as a child and volunteered front of house, Leah now has the unusual experience of inviting her own community to come and see her on stage as a professional performer.

Her parents, Gill and Paul, Grandma Maureen and younger sister Erin are among those particularly looking forward to seeing her perform. For Leah, though, Calendar Girls is a story she hopes will resonate far beyond friends and family.

“Whether you’re already familiar with Calendar Girls or experiencing it for the first time, it’s a wonderful evening at the theatre.

“It’s a show that has something for everyone – you’ll laugh, you’ll probably shed a few tears, and you’ll leave feeling uplifted. It’s a really special story that stays with you long after you’ve left the theatre.”

With thanks to Andrew Keogh and the Keswick Reminder for initiating the interview with Leah and giving us the opportunity to share more of her story.

READ the Keswick Reminder article here: KesRem interview with Andrew Keogh p5