LATEST ARTISTIC NEWS ROUND UP – OCTOBER 2025

So, we began the autumn with the first of a trilogy of plays Beginning by David Eldridge and what a superlative hit it was. Brilliant critical appraisal from all those who were lucky enough to see two actors at the top of their game, with an insightful director and a script which underlines why David Eldridge is considered one of our most important contemporary writers. The playwright also reposted our social media posts and connected with us, which was so special. The last of his trilogy, End will be opening next month at the National Theatre. This has been sold out for months, based on his name and the previous two plays of the trilogy. One of the hottest tickets in town. I shall report back when I have seen it, as I smugly report I have tickets! Enormous thanks to Viki Betts directing this super talented company and continuing to enhance our reputation for high quality theatre.

Next up is something entirely different – a ghost story for Halloween, The Cage Protects Me’ – a new piece of writing by one of our own – Giles Allen-Bowden. We had an unrehearsed reading of this play some time ago and after initially scheduling it for the Studio, circumstances allowed a gap in our schedule, so I invited Giles to present it on the main stage. He has assembled a multi-talented cast; the writing is taught, intelligent and compelling. We have a long history of staging new writing, usually in the studio, but this play will benefit from the main auditorium space to tell the arresting story and create an environment in which ghosts will thrive. Are you prepared at Halloween to be locked into the cage for the evening? Make sure you identify your escape routes before you sit down. Which characters will you be able to see and who can see you? With a soundscape composed by Jonathan Fletcher and performed by him and Martha Allen-Smith you may leave shaken and disturbed!

Rehearsals are already under way for our end of year and end of season production of Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel. Those of you who are Loft regulars will remember the spectacular production of Brian Friel’s Translations. Dancing at Lughnasa is a classic of Irish writing; a masterpiece by one of the most celebrated of writers. Brian Friel is in a class of his own and I would love a whole season of his plays. Most recently performed at the National Theatre in a standout production, we are thrilled to bring this heartwarming and heartbreaking play to celebrate a time of year when our focus is on families and being together. An astonishing evocation of a family’s world on the brink of change in 1936. Directed by Tom O’Connor.

We have already cast our January production of Animal Farm and our February production of Doubt: A Parable. We are now continuing casting 2026 productions and November will see multiple readings and auditions for the April and May productions in the main house and the studio theatre. Make sure that you keep an eye on our socials and the website for details of all of these.

Following our final production of the year, we shall be having a couple of film nights in the main auditorium, showing firstly on Monday 15 December Leamington at War, a short film commissioned by the Leamington History Group, filmed and edited by Mark Ellis, who has now produced a large body of work about the colourful history of this town. One or two pieces of footage were filmed at the Loft in the auditorium with Loft actors. Don’t blink! This is almost sold out, so if you want to see it on the big screen, please jump onto the bookings page.

On the following evening, Tuesday, 16 December we are showing a film of our production of Uncle Vanya, which was adapted and directed by David Fletcher in October 2024. Highly acclaimed critically, this was the most talked about production of the year. An immaculate piece of work. If you love Chekhov, if you missed this production, or if you want to see it again, we filmed one of the live performances. Don’t miss this chance. Tickets have only just gone on sale and are selling fast, so book swiftly.

Thank you to all our theatre-lovers for continuing to love live theatre. As the only independent theatre company in the town inhabiting our own theatre building, we rely on your constant support to survive and thrive.

Unlike movies there is no rewind button on a stage, you join a group of actors telling a story, red in tooth and claw, to a group of strangers who come together in a unique moment in the darkness of the auditorium. You all engage together, which makes it one of the most special and human of art forms.

I love directing and performing in this theatre; the easiest part of my life, not too many sleepless nights, but I do a lot of fretting about putting a season together. Such a balancing act of new work, classics, revivals, comedy, masterpieces. Working with a super talented team of directors, their passions and their choices provide the therapy and despite all the ups and down it all seems to come together through some sort of serendipity. I go to the professional theatre all the time and I notice before any play starts how palpably calm and relaxed I am in my seat, when it is not my responsibility. No bead of sweat on my brow, just the frisson of watching someone else do the heavy lifting!

We can’t wait to welcome you for our ghost story………… a treat not a trick.

The Cage will protect you…… hopefully!

Sue Moore

Artistic Director

October 2025