About Us
Luton Creative Community
OUR MISSION is to successfully relaunch the Luton Library Theatre as a place that:
- · provides quality live entertainment in our community.
- · promotes interest in live theatre and encourage the development of skills within our Theatre.
- · enriches the residents of the community’s quality of life by offering quality performing arts presentations in the Luton Library Theatre- a theatre of local significance.
OUR VALUES
Accessible & Affordable.
Community.
Theatre.
Inclusive
Open
No Final Curtain.
Community.
Theatre.
Inclusive
Open
No Final Curtain.
Who We are
LCC are a group of local people, some involved in theatre and dance in the town, some simply with an interest in preserving a cultural building in the heart of the town, that have come together. We have a surprisingly large group to back this project and keep the dream of Luton Library Theatre alive. We are working together as a team, and this will continue through this project, on a voluntary basis.
The LCC Steering Group is drawn from arts, music and culture across the town, featuring many who bring unique experience to help the group thrive. We consist of a previous Library Theatre Manager, Electricians, Engineers, Teachers, Accountants, an Auditor, Project Managers, Company Directors, and a further diverse mix of occupations all with valuable life and work skills to bring this project. We are always looking for new volunteers no matter what you background is.
History
Luton Library theatre – A Brief History
1961, A new state-of-the-art library was built on the corner of Bridge Street at the back of the area which eventually became St. Georges square.
The plans for the new library included a lecture theatre on the third floor but the borough librarian frank Gardner had a broader vision. By various means he was able to make sure that the lecture theatre had enough facilities to allow it to be used for more conventional theatre events. In the early days these facilities were undoubtedly limited but without Mr Gardner's foresight together with the enthusiasm and active interests of the arts league of Luton it is unlikely that the magnificent small scale theatre Luton still enjoys would not exist in its current form.
The new library was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on 2nd November 1962, with an audience of civic dignitaries, those assembled listened to Luton girls choir, the first people ever to perform on the Library Theatre stage.
For a few years the theatre was run by Luton Arts Council, early programme included Luton Choral Society, Luton Music Club, Luton Band, and Luton Operatic and Dramatic Society (LAODS).
By the 1970’s the theatre was being managed by the British Film Institute as one of their regional theatres and had been re-named Luton Film Theatre. It was equipped to screen 35mm and 16mm films. Programming included art house, foreign films, and classics. The original projectors are still here at the theatre.
Initially the lecture theatre had 240 seats, but this was soon extended to bring a capacity of 256. The auditorium had a very shallow rake with only an 18-inch rise from the stage to the back of the auditorium.
Luton Borough council soon took over the running of the library theatre, with Parks & recreation team led by Howard Hann in charge. around 1974, employing a team of staff, including a manager, secretary and technician, the staff have increased and decreased many times over the years. The 1980’s saw a glut of reasonably high-profile music acts such as Chris Barber, Kenny Ball, Stepene Grappeli, and Humphrey Littleton. However, the names did not stop there with the appearance of Ken Dodd, Prunella Scales, Warren Mittchell, Alan Price and Cyril Fletcher.
In the 1990's the auditorium floor was raked, and the décor and seating changed to a more modern style. A central isle was installed, and the seating capacity reduced to 238 seats.
The famous ‘Buttery Bar’ was closed and removed, and a bigger bar was installed.
In March 2008 Luton Cultural Services Trust started operations, running arts and culture on behalf of Luton Borough Council, this included the library and library Theatre.
The following year in 2009 the entire library building had a major refit, the theatre benefited from a major refurbishment. Much of the old legacy equipment being replaced with new modern equipment.
By March 2020 the Library Theatre did not fit with the artistic vision of Luton Culture, and they surrendered the lease back to the council. The theatre went dormant, and then the pandemic hit. The theatre returned to the council, but the council no longer had an arts department.
On 18th October 2023 the Library Theatre was re-born when the volunteers from Luton Creative Community took over the management of Luton’s only theatre.
We will once again become a community venue, prioritising local people and groups to attend and taker part. We aim to have a varied program to include theatre, music, spoken word, dance, comedy and much more.
1961, A new state-of-the-art library was built on the corner of Bridge Street at the back of the area which eventually became St. Georges square.
The plans for the new library included a lecture theatre on the third floor but the borough librarian frank Gardner had a broader vision. By various means he was able to make sure that the lecture theatre had enough facilities to allow it to be used for more conventional theatre events. In the early days these facilities were undoubtedly limited but without Mr Gardner's foresight together with the enthusiasm and active interests of the arts league of Luton it is unlikely that the magnificent small scale theatre Luton still enjoys would not exist in its current form.
The new library was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on 2nd November 1962, with an audience of civic dignitaries, those assembled listened to Luton girls choir, the first people ever to perform on the Library Theatre stage.
For a few years the theatre was run by Luton Arts Council, early programme included Luton Choral Society, Luton Music Club, Luton Band, and Luton Operatic and Dramatic Society (LAODS).
By the 1970’s the theatre was being managed by the British Film Institute as one of their regional theatres and had been re-named Luton Film Theatre. It was equipped to screen 35mm and 16mm films. Programming included art house, foreign films, and classics. The original projectors are still here at the theatre.
Initially the lecture theatre had 240 seats, but this was soon extended to bring a capacity of 256. The auditorium had a very shallow rake with only an 18-inch rise from the stage to the back of the auditorium.
Luton Borough council soon took over the running of the library theatre, with Parks & recreation team led by Howard Hann in charge. around 1974, employing a team of staff, including a manager, secretary and technician, the staff have increased and decreased many times over the years. The 1980’s saw a glut of reasonably high-profile music acts such as Chris Barber, Kenny Ball, Stepene Grappeli, and Humphrey Littleton. However, the names did not stop there with the appearance of Ken Dodd, Prunella Scales, Warren Mittchell, Alan Price and Cyril Fletcher.
In the 1990's the auditorium floor was raked, and the décor and seating changed to a more modern style. A central isle was installed, and the seating capacity reduced to 238 seats.
The famous ‘Buttery Bar’ was closed and removed, and a bigger bar was installed.
In March 2008 Luton Cultural Services Trust started operations, running arts and culture on behalf of Luton Borough Council, this included the library and library Theatre.
The following year in 2009 the entire library building had a major refit, the theatre benefited from a major refurbishment. Much of the old legacy equipment being replaced with new modern equipment.
By March 2020 the Library Theatre did not fit with the artistic vision of Luton Culture, and they surrendered the lease back to the council. The theatre went dormant, and then the pandemic hit. The theatre returned to the council, but the council no longer had an arts department.
On 18th October 2023 the Library Theatre was re-born when the volunteers from Luton Creative Community took over the management of Luton’s only theatre.
We will once again become a community venue, prioritising local people and groups to attend and taker part. We aim to have a varied program to include theatre, music, spoken word, dance, comedy and much more.