Enter Grasmere Gingerbread stage left…

Playwright Alan Ayckbourn gave it a non-speaking part in his version of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya entitled Dear Uncle.

Set in the Lake District in 1935, as opposed to the original Russian 1890’s farm, Grasmere Gingerbread was featured in a picnic scene.

A spokesman for the theatre said: “What could be more appropriate for a Lake District picnic than Grasmere Gingerbread?”

Ayckbourn’s reworking of Uncle Vanya brought an affectionate slant to the classic love story.

The playwright said: “Uncle Vanya is among one of my favourite plays. Dear Uncle is my own version. I still feel it’s very much Chekhov because nothing is ever forced out of its natural role.”

Joanne Hunter, a partner in Grasmere Gingerbread said: “I’m a big fan of Alan Ayckbourn’s work so I was personally thrilled when we were approached to supply Grasmere Gingerbread® for the play.”