It opened in 1999, replacing the mobile Century Theatre, and was made possible by an Arts Council Lottery Fund Grant.

In addition, the theatre offers a wide range of visiting drama, music, dance, talks, comedy and film.

The mobile touring Century Theatre first visited Keswick in 1961 and settled full-time in the Lakeside car park on the shores of Derwentwater in 1975.

Outline planning permission was granted for a permanent building on the site in 1991, and in 1996 the Century Theatre was moved to Snibston Discovery Museum to make way for it.

Work on the building began in 1998; the ground was broken by the theatre's patron, Dame Judi Dench.