Almeida Theatre Names Rupert Goold as New Artistic Director

Today, The Almeida Theatre Company Board announced Rupert Goold as the new Artistic Director of the Islington based Almeida Theatre Company.

Rupert Goold's appointment is with effect from August 2013 and the first production under his Artistic Directorship due for a January 2014 opening. Goold succeeds Michael Attenborough, who in October last year announced that after 11 years as Artistic Director, he was stepping down in order to concentrate on his directing.

Rupert Goold said: "After eight wonderful years at Headlong I'm thrilled to be joining the Almeida, with our collaborations on Chimerica and American Psycho this year it feels the perfect timing. I look forward to welcoming the best artists from here and abroad to make work in this magical theatre and building on its international reputation for theatre of risk and vision."

Christopher Rodrigues CBE, Chair, Almeida Theatre Board, said: "I am delighted to announce the Board's appointment of Rupert Goold as the Almeida's next Artistic Director. Rupert has an exceptional international reputation and could not be better placed to take the Almeida forward at what is a particularly exciting time for British theatre. The Almeida is thrilled that he has accepted the role and the Company are very much looking forward to welcoming him to our Islington base later this year. In due course, we very much look forward to sharing his plans with all of our supporters."

Michael Attenborough, current Artistic Director, Almeida Theatre, said: "I can pay Rupert no higher compliment than point to the fact that we are co-producing two shows with his company Headlong (one of which he is directing himself) during my final season up to the end of 2013. I am truly thrilled to be passing the theatre on to, not only a bold and brilliant director, but someone who takes equal delight in the promotion of other artists and the same ambitious, progressive programming for which the Almeida has always been known."

Rupert Goold's association with The Almeida Theatre Company began in 2008 when he directed Stephen Adly Guirgis' The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. In December this year at the Almeida he will direct the world premiere of American Psycho, based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis with book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik. Goold's Headlong Theatre Company are also co-producing with the Almeida in May to present the world premiere of Lucy Kirkwood's Chimerica, directed by Lyndsey Turner.

Goold has been Artistic Director of Headlong Theatre since 2005. He was Associate Director at the Royal Shakespeare Company (2009-2012). Previously he was Artistic Director of Northampton Theatres (2002 - 2005). Goold has twice been the recipient of the Laurence Olivier, Critics' Circle and Evening Standard awards for Best Director.

As a freelance director Goold has directed revivals, opera, musicals, new plays, farce, pantomine, youth theatre, installation work, comedy and Shakespeare (including two films) around the world and for a wide range of commercial and subsidised organisations. These projects include Richard II (BBC, Neal Street) Macbeth (Chichester Festival, The Gielgud Theatre, on Broadway and for the BBC), No Man's Land (Gate and Duke of York's theatres), The Glass Menagerie (Apollo Theatre), Time and The Conways (National Theatre), Sunday Father, Gone to LA (Hampstead Theatre) Turandot (English National Opera), Le Comte Ory (Garsington Opera) and Oliver! (Theatre Royal Drury Lane). This year Goold writes and directs his first feature film, True Story, starring James Franco and Jonah Hill for Plan B and Fox Searchlight in New York.

The Almeida Theatre is a 325 seat theatre in Islington, London. As well as Michael Attenborough (2002-March 2013), previous Artistic Directors of The Almeida Theatre Company are Jonathan Kent and Ian McDiarmid (1990-2002) and Pierre Audi (1980-1990). Supported using public money by Arts Council England, the theatre fundraises £1.3 million annually which, combined with ticket sales, contributes to its £4.2 million turnover.