READ THE LATEST ARTISTIC NEWS UPDATE
As the new year turned the country was garlanded with new year honours, then the artistic honours descend. We were thrilled to receive our own local garland too in Peter Buckroyd’s 2025 round up of professional and non professional theatre in the area. Two of our productions got a ‘nod’ and Richard Moore was his set designer of the year. This seemed a fitting accolade to someone, who as actor, director and set design and constructor has a history across 135 productions at the Loft. An astonishing contribution by a volunteer to the arts.
Outside it has been a soggy start to 2026 with lots of muddy fields in the countryside. There were lots of muddy fields inside too down on Animal Farm as the ‘animals’ caused mayhem in illustrating‘some are more equal than others’.
Mark Crossley’s highly creative stage production of Sir Peter Hall’s adaptation from George Orwell’s novella was a huge triumph. Staying largely faithful to the book, it managed to be fresh and frightening, funny and devastating, whilst remaining true to the savagery of Orwell’s satirical novella. The audience support was quite wonderful and the response equally so. The cast and creative team produced a thoughtful, imaginative and compelling piece of work and to top it all George Orwell’s son, Richard Blair and his wife Eleanor graced us with their presence on the final Friday of the run. What better conclusion to a splendid run.
From an allegorical fable to a parable…….
Next up is the equally compelling play Doubt: A Parable by John Patrick Shanley. Written in 2003, premiering soon after on Broadway and set in the Bronx in 1964, this outstanding piece of writing was adapted into a screenplay by the playwright and also directed by him, starring Meryl Streep. Such is the depth and power of the writing that all four of the principal roles were nominated for Oscars and the screenplay too, plus 3 BAFTA nominations.
The stage play premiere brought 4 Tony awards, including Best Play and won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Centering on a Catholic School in the Bronx, the school’s Principal questions a priest’s relationship with a young black student.
“What do you do when you’re not sure”, is the opening line from Father Flynn, the progressive priest in question. In stunning prose, the playwright dives into the shadows of moral certainty, doubt and truth.
Doubt is an exquisite, potent drama that raises questions and answers none, leaving the audience to find their own truth.
I am thrilled to be part of this production and urge you to come and see it and make up your own mind. Chris Gilbey-Smith is directing and as those of you who saw his production of Spring Awakening will know, he puts great heart at the centre of his direction, brightly illuminating the text.
April will see two productions – one in the main house and one in the studio theatre. Frozen by Bryony Lavery claims the space in the main house and Dave Crossfield, who is directing this powerful drama of emotional paralysis and forgiveness, is already in rehearsal with his cast. Hot on the heels of that production Hannah Brown will be directing Pontypool, set in a sleepy town in Canada, where a devastating virus threatens the community.
It’s busy!
We are also embarking on the planning of major maintenance and refurbishment changes to our building, so that the flat roof which has been devastated by increasing water ingress over the years can be replaced, along with all our heating and air conditioning systems. It is all going to be eye wateringly expensive, so we are keen to progress arts grant applications and fund raising projects. If you have expertise in this area we should love to hear from you. Please write to our Chairman, David Fletcher, chairman@lofttheatrecompany.com.
Thank you all for the brilliant support you continue to show us. Enormous thanks to our volunteers as they embark on another year of outstanding service on stage, back stage and front of house and to you, our audience, for your unwavering attendance to our shows.
We are still the best kept secret in Leamington, hidden at the bottom of the Victoria Colonnade. If you have a friend or family member who has never been to see one of our productions, please do consider bringing them this year and be part of helping us keep this 104 year old independent theatre in good shape as we aim to bring professional standard work to the stage; work which perhaps you will not get the chance to see elsewhere locally. Theatre tells great stories and tells a truth that makes us feel connected to something bigger than ourselves. The stories we tell in theatre matter. They enrich people’s lives and get them to think about their own lives and the lives of others. Great theatre strengthens minds, educates, stimulates and excites.
Come and experience our 2026 programme, which hopefully represents the best of what we do and who we are.
Sue Moore
Artistic Director
February, 2026
