English Touring Theatre Appoints New Trustees Paapa Essiedu, Tara Wilkinson And Greg Williams

With English Touring Theatre's tour of Nell Gwynn having just opened, Sandi Toksvig's Silver Lining playing to sold-out houses nationwide, and its critically acclaimed co-production of Othello running in Bristol, the company today appoints three new trustees joining its Board - actor Paapa Essiedu, producer Tara Wilkinson and Greg Williams, editor of technology magazine Wired.

Paapa Essiedu's recent stage work includes two RSC productions - the title role in Hamlet (UK Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Play) and Edmund in King Lear. Other recent credits include You For Me For You (directed by ETT Artistic Director Richard Twyman for the Royal Court), Romeo and Juliet (Tobacco Factory Theatres) and King Lear (National Theatre).

Tara Wilkinson is Executive Producer at Underbelly. She previously worked as General Manager at the Old Vic and as Producer for both Paines Plough and Bush Theatre.

Greg Williams is Editor of technology magazine Wired. He has previously held editor roles with Details Magazine, Dennis Publishing, Wallpaper, Arena and Esquire. He has also written five novels.

Chair of the Board Robert Delamere said today, "I'm delighted to welcome Paapa Essiedu, Tara Wilkinson and Greg Williams to the board of trustees of English Touring Theatre. It's a privilege to work alongside such exceptional creative talent from across the arts and media industries. They bring a wealth of knowledge, perspective and expertise to the board at an exciting time for the company as we develop under Richard Twyman's leadership."

Richard Twyman added, "Our new trustees are all trailblazers in their field: exceptional creative individuals whose energy and expertise will greatly enrich ETT. Paapa is one of the most talented actors of his generation, an inspirational figure who brings with him a profound understanding of contemporary theatre practice which will be essential in shaping the future of ETT. Tara is a singular and dynamic producer with extensive experience of working at the highest levels of subsidised and commercial theatre, in collaboration with some of the UK's most successful and innovative theatres. Greg is one of the UK's leading thinkers, helping to shape the landscape of technology, business and design as editor of WIRED. His wealth of knowledge about the current digital landscape will play a significant role in helping ETT become a touring company for the digital age."

In a joint statement, Essiedu, Wilkinson and Williams said, "We are delighted to join ETT's Board of Trustees at such a significant time in the company's evolution. Though already established as a leader in touring theatre, with Richard Twyman at the helm, the company will continue to build on those foundations and embark on a new period of development. In this phase we want to ensure that audiences across the country can engage with the most exciting, pertinent and imperative plays, old and new - work that reflects the UK as it is now and in the future, in the shifting social and political climate of our times. With our diverse personal and professional experiences of the UK we are much looking forward to being part of the conversation at ETT and helping to shape its future with Richard, ETT staff and the rest of Board.'

About English Touring Theatre

English Touring Theatre is one of the UK's most successful and influential touring companies, winning the UK Theatre Awards Best Touring Production in 2014, 2015 & 2016. The company works with leading artists to stage an eclectic mix of new and classic work for audiences throughout the UK and overseas; theatre that is thrilling, popular and engaged in the contemporary world. At the heart of everything ETT does is the passionately held belief that everyone, wherever they are in the country, deserves to have access to the very best work. In 2017 ETT will tour to 40 venues throughout the UK. Its productions of Sandi Toksvig's Silver Lining and the Olivier Award winning Nell Gwynn, starring Laura Pitt-Pulford, are both touring nationwide. Its production of Othello, co-produced with Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory and Tobacco Factory Theatres, tours to Exeter and Wilton's Music Hall, London in May this year.