Bowness's Old Laundry Theatre becomes The Victoria Wood Theatre

One of the Lake District's best-loved small theatres has a new name in 2026. The Old Laundry Theatre in Bowness-on-Windermere has become The Victoria Wood Theatre, honouring the comedian, writer and songwriter who was a trustee and a regular visitor.

The change was announced in November 2025 by the theatre's owners, Charlotte Scott and Roger Glossop. The official renaming was set for 19 May 2026, the date that would have been Victoria Wood's 73rd birthday.

Her links to the venue run deep. She opened the neighbouring World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, served as a trustee of the theatre, and performed there many times. Her television film Housewife, 49 was also adapted for the stage at the venue.

To mark the occasion the theatre premiered Fourteen Again, a new musical created using songs from the Victoria Wood songbook, with a book by Tom MacRae. Previews began on 1 May 2026, building up to a gala night on 19 May.

The theatre has a distinctive history of its own. It opened in 1992 in a disused laundry building, giving Bowness a professional stage in the heart of the village. Since then it has hosted the newest plays of Alan Ayckbourn as part of their world premiere tours.

Its roll of trustees has included some remarkable names over the years, with Victoria Wood joined by Griff Rhys Jones, Alan Rickman and Alan Ayckbourn himself.

The programme today mixes touring theatre, comedy and concerts, which makes the venue a good option for an evening out after a day on or around the lake. Its address is Crag Brow, a short walk up from the Bowness waterfront.

For Bowness, the new name is a lasting tribute to a performer who loved the area. Victoria Wood's warmth, wit and gift for everyday detail made her one of Britain's most cherished entertainers, and the theatre now carries her memory into every season, introducing her songs and stories to audiences who may never have seen her perform live.

Details of upcoming shows, tickets and visiting information can be found on the theatre's website, and the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction next door makes it easy to combine a performance with a family day out.