CATCH UP ON ALL THE ARTISTIC NEWS IN THE SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ROUND UP SEPTEMEBR 2025
The summer has drifted by in a heat haze and the days are noticeably shortening.
We celebrated the end of the first half of the season with a spectacular production of Doctor Faustus, where all the creative might of the theatre was lovingly wrapped around it. We dressed the auditorium in paper, created hugely imaginative video and projection and actors snaked their way, crawling down the auditorium stairs, to the stage. Pyrotechnics startled and delighted in equal measure, though I am not sure the production team would engage with the consequences of the regulations to use them again in a hurry.
Congratulations and enormous thanks go to David Fletcher for writing the version of Marlowe’s original and directing it and to his whole company for their inventiveness and showcasing the Loft at its best.
The summer recess followed and work began to move through the maintenance list of jobs right across the theatre. Although the audience may not have an opportunity to see any theatre with us in August, the rhythm of the Loft continues, with rehearsals underway for the September production Beginning and readings and auditions marching on for the 2026 programme ahead. As I write we have just cast the opening play of next season in January 2026, which will be Animal Farm by George Orwell in a version by Peter Hall to be directed by Mark Crossley. If you saw Mark’s production in April, reopening the Studio Theatre, you will know you are in for a treat . Even those who did not secure a role in the cast this time were effusive about the audition process, which contained a movement workshop led by our Movement Director, Dan Walsh.
The reading and audition for our February production of Doubt: A Parable by John Patrick Shanley takes place this month too – an impressive script and a huge opportunity for four of the most demanding and rewarding roles in contemporary theatre.
The second half of the year’s programme kicks off on 24 September with a David Eldridge play Beginning. We have wanted to stage a play by this most important writer for some time. It is the first of a trilogy of plays about relationships – the third of the trilogy has yet to be staged later this year at the National Theatre. We are nothing if not current! Don’t miss this two-hander, which was a sellout success when it premiered. Come and see what started all the praise around this writer’s work. Under the direction of Viki Betts, the cast and crew are preparing for this special production.
August also saw our AGM, where we were able to report a positive result artistically and financially for the theatre, against a backdrop of difficult times of rising costs impacting every dimension of this and every theatre company.
We were thrilled to announce to the AGM that the audaciously talented David Bradley had accepted to become the Loft’s President. Only the second President in our theatre history. David lives close to the theatre and since moving to Leamington has supported our productions and our whole company. The wider public must be as thrilled as we are judging by the response to our social media announcement. The first time we are likely to hit 1,000 ‘hits’ to a post!!
August also saw the launch of the first ever Loft Youth Theatre Ensemble, led by Laura Hayward-Smith who is a Masters graduate in performing arts. Laura and a team of brilliant volunteers ran a series of tasters and summer workshops. We are now embarking on the full autumn term. Those between the ages of 8 and 15 will be in two age groups to explore everything that goes to making great theatre happen. A series of practitioners in different fields will be joining Laura to present workshops, all in a safe and fun environment. For those who wish to see around the theatre as well as working in the Studio we shall be running regular tours for parents and students. If you know of young people who will become theatre lovers of the future, not necessarily as actors but as technicians too, then do let them know about this brilliant opportunity. Fees can be payable for the term or weekly. Head to the youth theatre page on the website for all the detail.
Our Production Manager, Amy Carroll, who is a full-time employee of the Loft is about to depart to have her baby and start a new chapter in her life with a new member of cast! Her maternity leave cover will be Caitlin Mills, who has a 1st Class Honours degree in Production Design and has experience on stage and screen. We are thrilled to have her skill. Please give her the warmest of welcomes when you see her in the theatre. She is as I write completing her onboarding and has already become one of the team.
Our plans for 2026 are now very advanced and we only have a few more production slots to agree. All the directors are lined up and most of the plays. We are planning 9 Main House productions and 2 in our Studio Theatre, including classic plays, comedies, new work and contemporary masterpieces by the best possible writers. As always we want to present theatre at as high a standard as possible; to be the best version of ourselves. We have a company full of eager, ambitious and enormously talented people and we are full of intent to present the best possible theatre programme we can to delight, excite and stimulate our audiences. The choices the directors make about the plays are critical to this and we will always look to stage great writing that deserves to be presented; writing that was intended for the stage.
A huge thank you to those of you who regularly support us as audience and as brilliant volunteers. As I am sure you know every single ticket purchased means we can continue with our programme of work. Your enthusiasm and belief in the arts and in the whole premise of storytelling inspires and helps keep live theatre alive. You are all beyond price.
SUE MOORE : ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
SEPTEMBER 2025
