Loft Theatre brings Tennessee Williams’ Summer and Smoke to Leamington this June
By Nadia Sayed 29th May 2026
Leamington's Loft Theatre is bringing Tennessee Williams' Summer and Smoke to the town this June.
Directed by Sue Moore, the show will run from Wednesday 10 until Saturday 20 June.
An intoxicating love story follows Alma, a young puritanical woman from a small town, whose undeclared love for an unpuritanical young neighbouring doctor, John, has driven her into a state of neurosis.
Alma is a singing teacher and the daughter of a minister. She has long been in love with John, the son of a doctor, who has recently returned to his family home following his medical studies. In the oppressive heat of summer, Alma meets John again and her life is turned upside down as she finds herself trapped between desire and the fear of it.
Can these two reconcile their differences, deal with their demons, their different views of the world and find a way to be together?
Written before and after Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams cited Alma as his finest creation. It had a triumphant revival at the Almeida and a West End transfer in 2018 – sold out in both venues and hailed as a masterpiece.
Director Sue Moore shared: "Summer and Smoke is a simply glorious play. When I first came upon it it felt like a major discovery. Tennessee Williams declared that the character of Alma Winemiller was his finest creation and the themes it covers are so relevant today. I wanted to reflect this in the production that has a nod to 1916 but is not slavishly literal and speaks to a contemporary audience."

A rarely staged Tennessee Williams classic, offering audiences a chance to rediscover one of his most beautifully written plays.
This amateur production of Summer and Smoke is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.
With special arrangement from the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, USA.
This production features mature themes and has an age guide of 12 plus.
Tickets are available now via The Loft Theatre's box office. For booking details and more information, visit here, email [email protected], or call 01926 830 680 (answer phone service).
Tickets priced from £17 to £20.
Free tickets for theatregoers aged 16–25 are available by advance email booking or on the night from the Box Office (proof of age required).
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