Michael Attenborough to Step Down as Almeida's Artistic Director

Today, 11 October 2012, Michael Attenborough announces that after 11 years as Artistic Director of The Almeida Theatre he will be stepping down in Spring 2013 in order to concentrate on his directing.

Michael Attenborough said: “My 11 years as Artistic Director of The Almeida Theatre have been consistently thrilling and rewarding, but I have decided that, after running theatres for the past 32 years, I now want to concentrate solely on my directing. I would like to place on record my immense gratitude to the superb staff at the Almeida, all of whom have played an integral part in everything we have achieved. Whoever succeeds me will find themselves blessed with a wonderful and unique theatre space, a hugely loyal audience and a Board and Staff that are second to none.”

Christopher Rodrigues CBE, Chair, Almeida Theatre Board, said: “It has been a privilege for all of us to work with Michael Attenborough. He has taken the Almeida from strength to strength locally, nationally and internationally by presenting a truly diverse programme of work of which we are all immeasurably proud. He has also been the driving force behind Almeida Projects, an inspirational outreach programme for young people. Michael has established the Almeida as a powerhouse of British Theatre and secured its financial condition. We count ourselves immensely fortunate to have benefitted from his leadership for over a decade and wish him every success in his future directorial career. Our challenge now is to secure a worthy successor for one of the most exciting roles in British theatre”

Attenborough’s policy for the Almeida has been based on an eclectic programme that has included thirty two premieres including a body of work which tackled critical issues of our times, ten new versions of foreign plays, ten new plays for young people and four festivals.