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The team here at Macready Theatre feel like kids at Christmas, as we delight in the return of Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company for our Christmas show this year.

Here’s everything you need to know…

This is the story of an extraordinary explorer and pioneering problem-solver. Planning his latest mission to the Antarctic he is learning to speak Penguin and hopes that you will too!

Through puppetry and song, this playful show celebrates wild creativity and the joy of individuality.

Waddle on down and join the expedition!

For all the family, ages 3+
Running time 60 mins.

The show will run from Sunday 10 December to Sunday 7 January (with a Festive break in the middle). For all show dates and times, please visit www.macreadytheatre.co.uk

We will be hosting an EXTRA SPECIAL pyjama performance on Friday 22nd December. Pop on your Christmassy PJs, bring along your penguin teddies and let’s enjoy the show in comfort. Full disclaimer: if you come along to any other showing in Christmassy PJs you will not be turned away!!

Subsidised tickets are also available for SCHOOL GROUPS. Please contact Amie alb@rugbyschool.net for more information and to book.

Public tickets are NOW AVAILABLE: www.ticketsource.co.uk/rugby-arts

“A very master class in how to do a one-man play…a joyous tribute to the acting profession… Stratford’s warm, engaging personality shone through each of the many characters he portrayed” (The Cambridge Critique)

This year marks the 150th anniversary of Macready’s death. This production pays a timely tribute to a theatrical pioneer who did so much to influence our theatre of today.

This compelling new solo show, written and performed by Mark Stratford, tells the story of William Charles Macready, one of the greatest actor-managers of the 19th Century. The story of Macready – the man to whom Charles Dickens dedicated “Nicholas Nickleby” – is one of the most remarkable ever to come out of the Theatre.

With passion, humour, emotion, and an array of characters, Stratford takes us on a journey through the fascinating world of Victorian theatre and the extraordinary, yet conflicted life of Macready; from his first tentative steps on stage in a tatty country theatre to his final ever performance at the mighty Drury Lane!

Read all about it in the latest review from The Cambridge Critique.

Grab your tickets today

Macready Theatre, Rugby have been nominated for Muddy Stiletto’s prestigious Best Theatre/Arts Venue in Warwickshire/West Midlands.

Firstly, the team at Macready Theatre wish to say a massive THANK YOU to the very kind soul/s who have nominated us for this incredible award. We are over the moon with the gesture, show of support and are so proud to be in the running for the Warwickshire and West Mids title.

As a small theatre in the heart of Rugby, this nomination is honouring the work we do for our community. Whether it be bringing in professional theatre for our town’s folk to enjoy, providing free seats for local school children to see shows during term-time or coordinating one of Rugby’s biggest annual festivals, The Festival on The Close.

If you would like to support us through to the next round and nominate us as your BEST Theatre/Arts Venue in Warwickshire/West Mids, please click here and vote by 8th May.

Thank you to everyone who has shown Macready Theatre some love. We are a small team but we LOVE what we do!

Macready Theatre travelled back in time to the Cretaceous period when the iconic T-Rex was King. Tyrannosaurs “Jam”, “Old Jam”, “Hairy Jam” and Velociraptor “Pongo” all enjoyed their time in the spotlight, meeting the excited Rugby public during three sell-out shows on Saturday.

Teaching children about the life and anatomy of the dinosaurs, whilst providing up-close experiences with the most fascinating creatures to have ever roamed our planet, the TeachRex team did a fantastic job of creating some ROARsome memories for everyone who came along. Volunteers were whisked onto stage, chased (and eaten) by the dinos and we even had a dance party!

TeachRex provide incredible interactive experiences with their dinosaurs through offering educational workshops to schools up and down the country, and events in venues nationwide. Macready Theatre hope to be welcoming TeachRex back over the Summer, so watch this space…

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BETHANY COOPER PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCES CAST FOR UK TOUR OF KATIE REDFORD’S TAPPED 

Bethany Cooper productions and Theatre503 today announces the cast for the UK tour of Katie Redford’s Tapped. Piers Black directs Marie Blount (Dawn), AK Golding (Jen), and Max Hastings (Gavi) in the UK tour. Following a successful world-premiere at Theatre503 in 2022, Tapped will tour to Macready Theatre, Rugby on 21 May 2023. 

Tapped was written as a response to the resurgence of the self-help dialogue, now deeply embedded in today’s online culture, highlighting that positive jargon is ultimately meaningless without real human connection.  

Tapped is a heart-warming comedy that explores the importance of connection, fulfilment and (lack of) hope. In Stapleford aka Stabbo, we meet Gavi, Jen and Dawn at an amateur self-help group who all share one commonality: they’re desperate for escapism. Tapped is a witty and sensitive portrayal of managing mental health within a family, highlighting the barriers we put up in order to put on a brave face, whilst having those all-important lightbulb moments, like realising Aldi really does sell everything. 

A play about eating too many biscuits, missed opportunities, big dreams in small places and how the idea of change is far easier said than done. 

Gavi wants to inspire his community. Which is tricky when everyone would prefer to just stay at home and watch Bake Off. Adamant to succeed, he starts hosting motivational meetings from his garage for his fellow Co-op colleagues. With the help of daily mantras, goal setting and repeatedly listening to Spandau Ballet, he believes he can change their lives for the better. However, when the only two attendees are bickering mother and daughter Dawn and Jen, it’s not quite the enlightening experience they all thought it would be. Dawn wants more from life, Jen wants a brand-new life and Gavi just wants Jen in his life; but there’s only so much ‘positive visualisation’ they can all do before simply facing up to the painful reality of what’s really going on. 

Macready Theatre, Rugby 
21 May 2023 7:30pm
£12 | £10

The Festival on The Close 2023 has been launched and what a fantastic reception it has already had – just 24 hours on!

With the likes of BBC Concert Orchestra, radio legend Ken Bruce, Comedian Seann Walsh, a host of West End stars, Tom Seals, Horrible Histories Live, Flabbergast Theatre Company and many, many more, this 5-day star-studded event is proving to be mighty popular in the town of Rugby.

Together with the Rugby School, the Festival is the Macready Theatre’s flagship celebration of culture and creativity in all its forms. And in June, we will once again transform the school into a buzzing hub of practical science, creative technology and ambitious arts; flinging wide the school gates to invite local schools and public to share our celebration of creativity in all its forms alongside an amazing programme of professional and student performances. By day, students from Warwickshire (and beyond) will make, play and learn shoulder-to-shoulder with artists, writers, scientists, academics and intellectuals through our extensive workshop and performance programme.

By night, the Festival plays host to world-class entertainment for all of Rugby and surrounding areas to enjoy. Providing a huge boost to our region with pride, the Festival supports local economy and tourism industries as part of its vision.

The Festival on The Close is proud to raise vital funds to support Cancer Research UK again this year.

The Festival will also support the Bicentenary celebrations, with the subtitle and theme, a fine disregard. The workshops include a re-enactment of the Suffragettes on trial, with thanks to National Justice Museum. We have dance companies exploring fine disregard of rules through movement and contact work.

Explore our full line-up of entertainment here.

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