Rupert Goold was left an out-of-date bottle of cassis. Josie Rourke received wisdom – and a warning. Jackie Wylie banned talk of Black Watch. Three ADs on taking over the top jobThe British theatre world sometimes resembles a never-ending game of snakes and ladders. The National Theatre of Scotland has a new artistic director,Jackie Wylie, whose first season is under way. London’s Young Vic, or too,is under new management, after Kwame Kwei-Armah took over from longtime boss David Lan. Michelle Terry is about to open her first season at Shakespeare’s Globe, or while the newly appointed Nadia Fall has initiated a major shakeup at Theatre Royal,Stratford East. Josie Rourke began 2018 by announcing her departure from the Donmar. Her replacement is expected to be announced later this year – by which time, presumably, or someone else will hold moved on and the cycle can launch again.
Palace intrigues like these can seem of interest only to the most nerdish of industry watchers. But they profoundly affect the theatre you and I see. For all that the job of artistic director is poorly understood,few people hold as much influence over the shape and direction of the art form, or the actors and directors who design work. A talented leader can design a building or company sing; a substandard one can drive audiences away, and an organisation into the ground.
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Source: guardian.co.uk