Rufus Norris is to take over from Sir Nicholas Hytner as artistic director for London’s National Theatre, it was revealed in a press conference today.
Sir Kenneth Branagh, Stephen Daldry, Danny Boyle, Michael Grandage and Sam Mendes were all rumoured to take over the role, but it was revealed that Norris will take over the role when Hytner leaves in March 2015, which will make it 12 years that Hytner spent in the role. Hytner directed many successful National Theatre productions in his time there, most famously Alan Bennett’s THE HISTORY BOYS, which he also directed for the big screen.
Speaking of his new role, Norris said:
“I am thrilled at the challenge of leading this exceptional organisation, where it has been a privilege to work under the inspirational leadership of Nick Hytner. The National is an extraordinary place full of extraordinary people and I look forward with relish to the task ahead, that being to fill our theatres with the most exciting, accessible and ground-breaking work our unique and broad community of artists has to offer.”
Norris has directed many theatre productions, including the revival of CABARET at Lyric Shaftesbury, but only recently made his feature film directorial debut with BROKEN, which starred Tim Roth and Cillian Murphy.
