Behind the scenes of the Loft Theatre: insight from Artistic Director Sue Moore and Warwick Alumni Volunteer Ruth Noble

The Loft Theatre in Leamington Spa is easily one of the best local gems in town. Recently, I was lucky enough to attend a tour of the theatre, led by Artistic Director Sue Moore, and have been given insight into the history of the theatre as well as what’s to be expected from the Loft in 2025. After liaising with Ruth Noble, a volunteer and university alumni (one of a few alumni who are members of the Loft workforce), I am also excited to share with the Boar Arts Section and other creatives of Warwick University the exciting opportunities that the theatre can offer to us as students and young people interested in ‘showbiz’ careers. 

So far, I have had the pleasure of attending two shows at the Loft. Starting my streak with Glorious!, I was dazzled by the glamorous costumes that perfectly reflected 1940’s showbiz. The cast paid wonderful tribute to the life of Florence Foster-Jenkins, with excellent humour and a notably intimate connection with the audience throughout. Most recently, I attended a Sunday performance of Medea, where I bore witness to incredibly poignant emotion amongst a magnificent stage-set. The use of stairs and levels captured the domesticity of the narrative, whilst the eerie stage-right held the perfect space for the witch-like chorus to move amongst the on-stage forest. I never knew I was a fan of Greek Tragedy until that day! 

The professional standard of the stagecraft is astounding, and as Sue Moore describes it, the Loft is a theatre that “lives off its wits.”

Next in the Loft’s line up for 2025 we can expect the following: Constellations, a performance of only two actors in a multiverse of love stories; Spring Awakening, an originally German play that deals with coming-of-age and secret trials of youth; The Just Price of Flowers, a show that captures the financial crash of 2007/8 in a crossover of timelines and cultures with Holland in the 1600s; Things I Know to be True, an original yet relatable take on family life; and even more performances later on in the year. I am personally most excited for Spring Awakening because of the iconic rock-inspired soundtrack.  As Sue Moore herself questions: “Is Leamington ready for this?” 

One might not think so, but the Loft is predominantly led by volunteers, and is in fact one of the oldest non-professional theatre companies in the country. That being said, the professional standard of the stagecraft is astounding, and as Sue Moore describes it, the Loft is a theatre that “lives off its wits.”  The theatre doesn’t receive any grant funding and so the Loft relies on its Box Office sales. 

The history of the theatre dates to 1922, when the drama-enthusiast and married duo, William and Wilna Constable, invited 18 likeminded thespians to their house in an effort to set up a drama club. From then, the club held its first performance in 1923: The Silver Box. 

After flitting from one temporary venue to another, the company finally settled into the permanent residence of an unused hayloft on 58 Bedford Street – hence, the lasting name: ‘Loft’. The Loft moved to its current site in 1945. However, after enduring two fires, one in 1958, and the second in 1964, the original building was lost, and building had to begin from the ground up. In 1968, rising from the ashes, came the newest, purpose-built theatre. 

The theatre’s history of passion and collaboration is testament to the power of community and love for the arts.

The theatre’s history of passion and collaboration is testament to the power of community and love for the arts. In this spirit, Ruth Noble has collated a list for me to share with University of Warwick students, consisting of possible volunteering opportunities that the Loft has to offer. Starting with front of house positions, there are stewarding, box office and bartending roles to get involved with. If you would like to dip your toe into the theatre community, Ruth Noble claims that volunteers can get involved “as much or as little as they wish.” 

For more creative roles, and perhaps those that would wish to supplement their degree in the arts with some real-world experience, there are roles in assisting stage management, lighting, sound, set design and construction (and deconstruction), wardrobe, marketing and publicity. These volunteers are often a part of the rehearsal process, which takes place for 6 weeks before opening night. If you are up for an exciting new challenge during your time at university – whilst simultaneously supporting the arts – maybe you could be the perfect fit for one of these roles. (Contact information is at the end of the article!)  Every actor in a Loft production is also unpaid and takes on around four nights a week of rehearsal in preparation for a performance. This really goes to show that it is love for theatre alone that makes the cogs whir. 

If your schedule is too full for volunteering roles, fear not: Sue Moore has made the executive decision to provide free theatre tickets for all 16-25 year olds. No catch. She tells The Boar that this age range was chosen specifically to entice young people to take themselves to the theatre of their own accord. Just email in advance and provide your ID at the box office to claim your free theatre tickets. What better way to spend an evening out in Leamington with friends? Contact the Loft’s General Manager, Robin Boyd at gm@lofttheatrecompany.com for more information.