[Tulip]

I don’t wan’t to turn this into a bashing you know who thread … Once Hytner has left who do you feel would be a suitable candidate?

My money is still on Grandage or Mendes. Perhaps Grandage more so as the Donmar Westend did generally succeed despite a few errors on the way.

Johanthan Kent was never getting my vote and that was even before the Haymarket season – Will Sean Mathias be more successful at the Haymarket?

Rupert Gould is still too young … I don’t really know about people working at the RSC to put a slight comment by their name

[Weez]

Grandage would definitely be my choice. I'm on the verge of writing to him to get him to stage a coup. Although he has signed up for another four/five years at the Donmar Warehouse (I forget when I read the article saying he'd signed up for four more years XD) so... if Hytner defected in that time, would Grandage go for it, or respectfully decline?

[Lynette]

I don’t wan’t to turn this into a bashing you know who thread … Once Hytner has left who do you feel would be a suitable candidate?

My money is still on Grandage or Mendes. Perhaps Grandage more so as the Donmar Westend did generally succeed despite a few errors on the way.

Johanthan Kent was never getting my vote and that was even before the Haymarket season – Will Sean Mathias be more successful at the Haymarket?

Rupert Gould is still too young … I don’t really know about people working at the RSC to put a slight comment by their name

How old is RG? Maybe he looks younger than he is. And does age matter?

[Weez]

Goold's mid-30s, I believe. I really don't think age matters so much, but I like to think he's got lots more to do before settling down on the South Bank for a stretch.

[Jon]

My choice would have to between Michael Grandage and Rupert Goold, Sam Mendes is occupied with directing films and the odd theatre productions so he would be ruled out.

I think Nicholas Hytner is staying at the National until 2013 so if Grandage's Donmar contract ends around the same time then I think he could go for it.

I agree that Hytner done a great job at the National with new work and revivals plus the family shows like His Dark Materials, War Horse and Coram Boy and I look forward to Nation. My only criticism is his attitude to musicals at the National, I'm not expecting an Oklahoma or a My Fair Lady but I'm sure less commercial shows like Light in the Piazza would have been stunning in the Olivier.

[Jan Brock]

Trevor Nunn ran the RSC when he was 24, Rupert Goold is around 36.

I see three candidates: MIchael Grandage, Rupert Goold, Marianne Elliot. Any of those would be fine. I think I'd favour Grandage due to his successs actually running a venue, and attracting star actors (for his West End triumphs). I'd rather see Rupert Goold at the NT than RSC though - he is the only director I've ever heard say he actually likes the Lyttelton stage. I guess Elliot would be Hytner's pick.

Who would be the absolute worst choice ? (let's confine it to directors). Peter Gill, I'd say.

[armadillo]

No votes for Katie Mitchell then? !

[Jan Brock]

I think you're on the money Jan with this assessment.

Grandage makes the most sense - but is his sensibility too much like Nick Hytner's?

Couple of outsiders: Thea Sharrock, Josie Rourke, Bijan Sheibani, Tom Morris - all could have impressed by 2013/4 ...

Tom Morris would, of course, feature very prominently if Elliot got the job. There are a few more you could add to your list of outsiders: Jude Kelly for example.

Of the three I mentioned who would actually want the job ? Goold for sure based on interviews he has given where he talks about being destined to "run a building". Grandage probably - he has shown he actually likes to run venues, not just the Donmar but remember he spent years in Sheffield too. The question is not who is the best director of the three, but who would be the best running the NT - Grandage I say.