Croft steps down at Nottingham Playhouse

Nottingham Playhouse will be seeking a new artistic director to take over its programme of work from 2018.

The Playhouse has announced that Giles Croft is to step down from his role.

Croft will remain in post until November 2017. He has been artistic director of Nottingham Playhouse since 1999 and in that time has increased its in-house productions from six to 14 a year.

Croft said: “We are soon to begin the application process for the next four years of NPO Arts Council funding. It’s time for me to hand over to a new generation as the country enters a period of change and for Nottingham Playhouse to have a new artistic vision.

“The new artistic director will be joining a theatre where they can take artistic risks, that has an encouraging and supportive working environment and is in good business shape.”

Caroline Shutter, chair of Trustees, said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed Giles’ work as artistic director of Nottingham Playhouse, both as an audience member and latterly as chair of Trustees. I will miss his insightful and erudite contributions to Board meetings. He has been a real asset to the city helping to promote Nottingham Playhouse nationally, both in London’s West End and through collaborations with other theatres. Giles will be a hard act to follow.”

Stephanie Sirr, CEO, said: “Giles has been a terrific artistic director for Nottingham Playhouse – in particular championing new writing and creating some unforgettable theatre. He’s also been a really wonderful colleague – passionate about the theatre and so supportive to emerging artists and to the organisation as a whole. We look forward to enjoying his final productions for Nottingham Playhouse and to his future directorial triumphs.”