Director’s Welcome

It is a genuine pleasure to welcome you to a new chapter in the history of Rugby School’s Macready Theatre.

Whether you are joining us for the first time or are one of our loyal regulars, this season offers an exciting opportunity to be amongst the first to experience our beautiful new venue as we proudly reopen following a transformational £1.5 million refurbishment. Inspired by a commitment to creating exceptional experiences for our audiences as well as for the student community and visiting professional companies who perform on our stages, this project has reimagined every aspect of the theatre. From significantly enhanced backstage facilities and a spacious new bar to our beautifully restored auditorium, every detail has been designed and upgraded with the highest level of professionalism and industry-level quality in mind, creating a state-of-the-art home for theatre, comedy, music, dance, film and live events for Rugby and the surrounding areas.

As we celebrate this exciting redevelopment, we are equally ambitious about what happens on our stage. Our new programme brings together the very best professional touring work from across the UK and beyond alongside outstanding performances from Rugby School students, local youth theatre and community groups. We believe the strongest cultural venues are those that champion excellence at every level, and this season reflects that commitment more than ever before.

The centrepiece of our reopening celebrations will undoubtedly be Rugby School’s spectacular production of Jesus Christ Superstar, a bold and ambitious staging that promises to showcase the extraordinary talent and creativity of our students whilst demonstrating the full potential of our newly transformed theatre.

Elsewhere in the season, audiences can once again enjoy the buzz of our regular Manford’s Comedy Club, savour the ever popular Pizza Express Jazz Club evenings, experience world-class productions through our acclaimed National Theatre Live screenings, and enjoy some of the finest touring theatre currently visiting venues across the UK.

At Macready Theatre, our mission remains unchanged: to provide Rugby with exceptional arts and cultural experiences that inspire, entertain and bring people together. We look forward to welcoming you through our doors and sharing this exciting new era with you.

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