Richard Twyman Becomes New Artistic Director of English Touring Theatre

English Touring Theatre today announces the appointment of Richard Twyman as the company's new Artistic Director. Twyman takes up the position in November 2016, taking over from Rachel Tackley who leaves the company to join Chichester Festival Theatre.

Richard Twyman said: "In a week where we question our identity and debate our nation's future, joining English Touring Theatre is a uniquely exciting opportunity to represent and reflect the country as a whole, in all its breadth and diversity. A chance to celebrate and interrogate British identity and make a space in which creative conversations about who we are, and our place in the world, can take place on our nation's stages.

"During my three years as Associate Director (International) at the Royal Court Theatre I have had the privilege of working with artists from all over the world, and I look forward to also bringing a spirit of internationalism to the work ETT does.

"I would like to thank Rachel Tackley, whose exemplary leadership of the organisation has left in it such good health. Through her work at ETT she has become one of the industry's most respected leaders and I look forward to continuing her extraordinary commitment to touring work to all corners of the UK. "

Chairman of the Board Greg Parston commented, "The Trustees of English Touring Theatre welcome the appointment of Richard Twyman as the beginning of a new phase in ETT's sparkling development. Richard's exciting creativity will positively challenge us into new ventures, in terms of both productions and new venues, and the identity of the company itself, building on the superb record of the last eight years under Rachel's leadership, which established ETT as the country's leading touring company."

Rachel Tackley added, "The last eight years at English Touring Theatre have been some of the most thrilling of my career so far. I have been privileged to help make work with extraordinary creative artists, performers, facilitators and technicians at some of the country's most fabulous (and occasionally challenging!) venues. I won't miss a life spent on trains but I will miss the team at ETT dreadfully. But what an exciting new chapter, I can't wait to see the next part of ETT's development and watch it continue to flourish under Richard's directorship. He will have a ball, I know I did."

Richard Twyman has been Associate Director (International) at the Royal Court Theatre since 2013, where his directing work includes You For Me For You, Fireworks, The Djinns of Eidgah and PIIGS; and the forthcoming Torn by Nathaniel Martello-White and Harrogate by Al Smith (also HighTide).

His other theatre credits include Harrogate (HighTide), The Djinns of Eidgah (Rage, Mumbai/Writers' Bloc Festival), Henry IV Pt II (RSC), Ditch (Old Vic Tunnels/HighTide), Dr Marigold & Mr Chops (Theatre Royal Bath & UK Tour), Sixty-Six Books (Bush Theatre) and Give Me Your Hand (Irish Rep, New York - nomination for the Drama Desk Award 2012 for Outstanding Unique Theatrical Experience). Between 2003 and 2008 he worked at the Royal Shakespeare Company. He was Associate Director to Michael Boyd on the multi-award winning Histories Cycle for which he directed Henry IV Pt II. The production, alongside the Histories, was honoured with three Olivier Awards (2009 Best Revival, Best Ensemble, Best Costume), the Evening Standard Editor's Choice Award, and named by Michael Billington as his productions of the decade 2000-2010. Twyman also works as a dance dramaturg, where his credits include Bayadère-The Ninth Life (Shobana Jeyasingh Dance, Linbury ROH), Please be Seated (New Movement Collective, Royal Festival Hall), Nest (New Movement Collective, Stone Nest) and Who Killed Bambi (Renaud Wiser Dance Company).

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