Rugby Theatre Society

Past productions

Blithe Spirit, Rugby Theatre. 2^nd – 7^th July 1951.
Dick Whittington, Rugby Theatre. 26^th – 30^th December 1950.
Nine Till Six, Rugby Theatre. 13^th – 18^th February 1950.
Arsenic and Old Lace, Rugby Theatre. 9^th – 14^th January 1950.
Fisherman’s Rest, Rugby Theatre. 5^th – 10^th December 1949.

Coventry Evening Telegraph – July 1948
RUGBY Borough Council last night agreed to pay the rent and rates of the Scala, Cinema, Rugby, for three years,’ to enable it to be used by the Rugby ‘Theatre Society as al theatre for amateur companies. l The Scala has been closed for, about two years, – This move will cost the Corporation about £650 a year the equivalent of a halfpenny rate. The General Purposes Committee reported that they had received a letter from Dr. J. R. Owen. chairman of the Theatre Society, in which it was stated that the society hoped to put. on plays at regular intervals by the local amateurs in the town and possibly at a later date by touring professional companies. It was estimated that the cost of altering the cinema would be between £1,500 and £2,000, and it was proposed to raise this money by theatrical and other efforts by gifts from the Public. The letter asked the Corporation to consider using their powers under the Local Government Act, 1948. and pay the rent for three years. After then they would be in a position to know whether the theatre was going to prove a success and whether it could afterwards be self-supporting. Dr. Owen and Mr. W. Harold Hodson met the committee on behalf of the society and told them that after the alterations, involving the extending of the stage and the construction of dressing-rooms and other accommodation, the seating capacity would be about 400.
Dr. Owen stated that it would be the intention of the society to run at least ten shows a year, each lasting a week. This would cover the number of public performances allowed even if a theatre licence could not be obtained. During the rest of the year it was hoped that amateur societies, schools. etc.. would be able to put on their own separate shows. The committee considered that the theatre trust should be required to submit to the Corporation an annual report and accounts.