ARTISTIC ROUND UP – JUNE NEWSLETTER
So we loved, loved, loved the Mike Bartlett play, judging from the audience and critical response. The company of actors rose to the challenge of ageing decades during the performance and all the relationship issues clearly resonated with everyone who had the chance to see it.
Enormous thanks to Lynda Lewis and the entire Love, Love, Love company for creating a skilful crowd-pleasing production.
Next up in the main house is Summer and Smoke, a lesser-known play by Tennessee Williams. I can guarantee that if you come and see this play you will leave thinking you have experienced something very special and something which you previously did not know. It is captivating.
On its revival at the Almeida in 2018 and subsequent transfer to the West End, this play, which was written around the same time as A Streetcar Named Desire, was hailed a masterpiece and you simply could not get a ticket.
It is surprisingly funny and, as you would expect, emotionally charged. The cast is as compelling as the play. The two central characters, Alma and John, who are completely fascinated by each other, have one last chance to be together. Take your chance too to watch this audaciously talented cast bring this story alive.
The production is visually exciting and there is live singing too……..we are just spoiling you now!
The One Man, Two Guvnors cast which follows Summer and Smoke have just started rehearsals and this will bring laughter and chaos to the stage in equal measure. This has become a comedy classic premiering at the National Theatre, the West End and Broadway. The best provenance. Summer fun at its best.
After our July production concludes, our major capital project begins. This is the biggest project we have undertaken since the theatre opened. We are reroofing and changing all the HVAC systems. If you enjoy the experience of live theatre at the Loft, then please would you consider making a donation of whatever you can to help us undertake this? The cost will exceed £500K and for an independent theatre company who receives no external funding, that is a punishing amount. Would you please help us?
Please head here for more information:-
Planning for 2027 continues and we are excited about the programme that is shaping up – contemporary plays for our time, classic plays, and a Shakespeare are all on the cards.
As always the choices made by the directors are always anchored in bringing you the best possible writing and a repertoire of plays which you would not normally have the chance to see outside London. Our mantra is “the play’s the thing”. We have a shared sense of purpose to put on plays which stimulate, educate, thrill and cause an audience to want to return for more.
SUE MOORE : ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
JUNE 2026
