Vicky Featherstone to Step Down as Artistic Director of the Royal Court
Under her stewardship, the theatre has supported over 600 writers through the writer development programmes and groups

Vicky Featherstone has announced she will step down later this year when the search for a new Artistic Director is complete and once they have taken up post.
Vicky Featherstone, Artistic Director, The Royal Court Theatre says:
"Being Artistic Director of the Royal Court is one of best jobs in the world - creating something over ten years with the most dedicated, passionate and thoughtful people throughout every single area of the organisation - from stage door to the board and the donors - with the actors, other artists and freelancers who bring all of themselves to make incredible plays happen, and of course having the ultimate privilege of being in daily conversations with visionary, transformational writers. I would do it forever if I could. And although I am usually the last one to leave the party, it's time for me to hand over the guardianship of this extraordinary, enduring mission to someone else. When I started this job in 2013 I set myself a time limit of ten years, and I am holding myself to that. There are no words for how life-changing, challenging, invigorating and complex this job is, and like everyone who has ever done this role here, it is forever part of my DNA.
The search for the next person to take the helm starts now - recruitment for the post will begin in late February and in true Royal Court tradition, I will not leave until the new Artistic Director has begun. I hope this announcement sets fires alight in the bellies of those who can create the future for theatre and I am so excited to see where we will go next.
I've been an Artistic Director and CEO since 1997, first at Paines Plough and then The National Theatre of Scotland, and now here at the Royal Court for a full decade. I have no concrete plans as to what I will do next. Top of the list is to make an appointment at the dentist. Basically I'm releasing myself back into the wild...."
Anthony Burton CBE, Chair of the Board of Trustees, The Royal Court Theatre says:
"Vicky has been a tireless leader of the Royal Court for 10 years, brilliantly navigating turbulent times not least keeping the Court afloat for two years during Covid. She has been an innovator and champion of many initiatives such as the "Me Too" movement in the theatre. We are hugely grateful to Vicky for her invaluable and profound contribution to the work, welfare, and financial stability of the Court."
At the start of Vicky Featherstone's tenure in Summer 2013 the keys of the building were handed over to the writers, for Open Court, a 6 week festival which included 133 performances and over 40 new plays and found new collaborative ways of working across the building. Since then, under Vicky Featherstone's stewardship, the theatre has supported over 600 writers through the writer development programmes and groups and commissioned and premiered work from writers aged 8-80 across five continents, many of whom were first time writers.
These writers have included: Abi Morgan, Lemn Sissay, Mark Ravenhill, Caryl Churchill and Lucy Kirkwood.
The theatre has welcomed schools, poets, scientists, journalists, beat-boxers, drag artists and students amongst many others to their stages since 2013. The work has travelled from the Royal Court's two home stages to the West End, Broadway and off-Broadway, Edinburgh International, Manchester International and WOW Festivals, on national and international tours as well as in partnership online and on screen with the BBC, the Financial Times and the Guardian and the theatre's own digital platform.
The next season of work at the Royal Court, including Vicky's final production, will be announced in March.
Photo Credit: Jill Mead
From This Author - Aliya Al-Hassan
Aliya Al-Hassan is UK Managing Editor of BroadwayWorld. A London-based theatre critic and journalist, she has a life-long passion for the arts, with a focus on theatre and opera. She is a... (read more about this author)

March 27, 2023
The biggest night in theatre, the Olivier Awards, is nearly upon us. BroadwayWorld UK's editor Aliya Al-Hassan and reviewers Kerrie Nicholson and Cheryl Markosky discuss the main nominations: who should win, who will win and who missed out!

March 27, 2023
With the weather beginning to warm up and the sun staying up for longer, Richmond Theatre is delighted to ‘spring’ into a new season. Filled with hilarious comedies, fun family shows and big names, audiences are encouraged to picnic on the Green prior to taking their seat in the beautiful Frank Matcham-designed theatre for an evening of entertainment.

March 27, 2023
Have a blast this summer as Grease The Musical returns to the West End for another strictly limited season! Having wowed audiences in 2022, the gritty, electrifying and ‘most dazzling version’ (Smooth FM) of the world’s best-loved musical will guest star Louise Redknapp as Teen Angel and plays at London’s Dominion Theatre from 2 June until 28 October only.

March 24, 2023
All new production photos have been released for Mercury Theatre's production of They Don't Pay? We Won't Pay! by Dario Fo and Franca Rame. Check out the photos below!

March 24, 2023
This summer, Guildhall School of Music & Drama presents a varied programme of events for the public to enjoy, including concerts, drama productions, opera and jazz.