Seasons of Love: Selecting a season of shows for Louth Playgoers
Every September, a brand-new Louth Playgoers season begins at Louth Riverhead Theatre, and with it comes a carefully chosen line-up of plays, musicals and, of course, a pantomime. But how do those shows actually get picked? We sat down with this year’s President, Derek Smith, to find out what goes into shaping the season.
Q: Derek, you’ve been a member of Louth Playgoers for a long time, what’s it like stepping into the role of President for the first time?
I’ve been involved here for over 15 years, but as President you definitely see the bigger picture. It’s about ensuring we have a whole season of productions that will excite audiences and make the best use of our wonderful theatre - that’s a bit of pressure, but I’m really happy with how it’s played out so far.
Q: So where do you start when it comes to choosing a season?
It usually begins with a lot of reading! We spend time going through the catalogues from publishers like Concord Theatricals and Music Theatre International, keeping an eye out for newly released performance rights. Timing is everything, sometimes a play or musical becomes available and you know straight away it’s the right moment to bring it to Louth.
Q: And once you spot something promising, what’s next?
The next step is making sure we’ve got the right production team to do it justice. We’re lucky to have some very talented and experienced directors within Louth Playgoers, and I’ve been delighted with the people who’ve come forward to lead this season’s shows. A big part of the job is matching the right show with the right team.
Q: Is there also a balance between what you want to stage and what you think audiences want to see?
Absolutely. We always have to think about what will fill the auditorium. That doesn’t mean playing it safe, but it does mean choosing titles that people are excited to come and watch. For example, Cluedo was one of the first shows I secured because I’ve always loved the film Clue, and I really hope it will strike a chord with audiences too. Similarly, when Disney’s The Little Mermaid became available for amateurs, we moved quickly to secure it. Disney is always close to my heart so when the license was confirmed it just felt right. The musical is usually the flagship performance of the Louth Playgoers season, and I think it’ll be a real highlight.
Q: How much input does the Playgoers board have?
It’s very much a collaborative process. As President you present your proposed season to the board, and they want to know it’s been well considered, that it’s commercial, practical, and in keeping with the standards our audiences expect. Once everyone’s happy, it’s then down to our marketing team to start working on posters and campaigns to get the word out.
Q: Speaking of marketing, do you think about that side of things while choosing the shows?
Yes, you have to. Some titles do a lot of the work for us as they’re so well known, but you can’t rely on that. Others which are less well known will need a clever marketing push, so the team start early, this is the first year that we’ve had our terrific ‘Early Bird’ discounts available for audiences, and they are proving to be popular. The goal is to have a season that’s not only strong on stage, but also exciting to promote.
Q: So what can audiences look forward to in the season ahead?
We’ve got a brilliant mix. There’s the warmth and humour of Calendar Girls to start us off in September, followed by the mystery and farcical comedy of Cluedo in October. Later in the year, the musical comedy Nunsense brings some fun, then in January we have our family pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk. Spring brings Keeping Up Appearances, based on the classic BBC comedy, and then we finish in May with the spectacle of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. I think it’s a season that really offers something for everyone.
Q: Finally, what makes Louth Playgoers and the Riverhead Theatre special in your eyes?
For me, it’s the combination of quality and community. The productions we put on here are exceptional, people are often surprised by the standard we achieve for a town of this size – and that’s down to the commitment and generosity of our volunteers. Everything you see on stage, and behind the scenes, is done by people who love theatre. That’s what makes the Riverhead Theatre a really special place.
🎭 The Louth Playgoers 2025–26 season begins this September at Louth Riverhead Theatre. For full details and tickets, visit louthriverheadtheatre.com/events.