Profile: John Boughton

Loft credits (click a play title to view details)

• 1st country fellow, Dr Knock (1940)
• Pepe Lora, The Women Have Their Way (1940)
• Usher, The Silver Box (1939)
• Martin, The Postern Door (1939)
• Russian Officer, Arms and the Man (1938)

Notes

John Boughton was killed in a tragic accident while returning home to Leamington from Yorkshire on his motorcycle on 2 December 1940. He was 25. The coroner called it ‘a loss to the country’.

The Leamington Courier printed the following tribute by Douglas Ford.

Charles John Boughton, one of the most promising Loft members, has been called from us in the prime of his young manhood. He is mourned by many members of the Leamington and Warwick Dramatic Study Club, particularly by those who had to do with him “behind the scenes” and at “Readings.” The memories of the happy friendships which he made will always be cherished and his outstanding qualities of character will be an inspiration and encouragement to those who knew him.

He came to the Loft when there was much to do – and he did it. Nothing was too much trouble to him. For a while, in 1939, he acted as stage director and was responsible for the smooth running of some of our most successful productions. At the same time he was elected to the Committee, of which he was a valuable member. He continued to give active support to practically all the subsequent productions at Bedford Street, his training as an engineer and electrician being particularly useful. It will be recalled that he was responsible for the realistic motor-car which appeared in Dr Knock, in which play he also took a small part, bringing to it all the thoroughness which he applied to other activities. His examination by the Doctor, when he revealed his fine upstanding body, was one of the “high spots” of the play.

If John had lived, he would have undoubtedly played an important part in the development of the Loft after the War – he had the right idea.

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