Richard Hubert Smith
The Board of the National Theatre has announced that RUFUS NORRIS will succeed NICHOLAS HYTNER as Director, with effect from April 2015. Born in 1965, Norris trained at RADA and was an actor for several years before turning to directing. He has been an Associate Director at the National Theatre since 2011 and has directed numerous productions. Prior to this he was an Associate Director at the Young Vic from 2002-07. He has also worked in opera, and his debut feature film 'Broken' premiered at Cannes in 2012.
Chairman of the National Theatre John Makinson said: “… the Board looked for an individual with a creative reputation that would command the respect and support of British theatre, and with the generosity of spirit that has characterised Nick Hytner’s period as Director. Rufus Norris has both those qualities in abundance.” Hytner added that Norris “has been a superb Associate Director for the last two years, actively involved in repertoire planning, and delivering a series of outstanding productions. His work as a director is always searching, deeply considered and adventurous and I have no doubt he will bring these qualities to the running of the National.”