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Laurie Sansom
Laurie Sansom

Laurie Sansom appointed artistic director of National Theatre of Scotland

Date: 24 October 2012

Laurie Sansom has been appointed as the National Theatre of Scotland's second artistic director, succeeding Vicky Featherstone who joins the Royal Court in December.

Sansom, currently artistic director of The Royal & Derngate Northampton, a post he's held since 2006, said: "Although it will be difficult to say goodbye to everyone at Royal & Derngate, it will be a thrilling challenge to lead the National Theatre of Scotland through the next stage of its development as it continues to champion new and innovative work in Scotland and beyond."

Highlights of his time in Northampton include his productions of Spring Storm and Beyond the Horizon (for which he won the 2010 TMA Award for Best Director) transferring to the National Theatre, and his acclaimed Festival of Chaos trilogy – consisting of new versions of The Bacchae, Blood Wedding and Hedda Gabler – featuring as part of the London 2012 Festival this summer.

Royal & Derngate's co-production of End of the Rainbow, starring Tracie Bennett as Judy Garland, also enjoyed huge success, running in the West End, on national tour and subsequently on Broadway (earning a Whatsonstage.com Award nomination in the process).

Chairman of Royal & Derngate's board, Paul Southworth said: "Today we have mixed emotions – sad to be saying goodbye to our excellent artistic director, but immensely proud that his work has been recognised, enabling his move to lead the National Theatre of Scotland."

Sansom will take up his new post at the National Theatre of Scotland in spring 2013, with his final production at Royal & Derngate opening in February.

- by Theo Bosanquet

Related Content

Internal Links
Steed, Sansom & Plowright Win 2010 TMA Awards - 7th Nov 2010 News
Sansom Takes Over Northampton Royal & Derngate - 13th Jan 2006 News
Royal Court appoints Vicky Featherstone as new artistic director - 11th May 2012 News
Beyond the Horizon / Spring Storm starstarstarstar - 8th Apr 2010 Reviews
End of the Rainbow starstarstarstarstar - 23rd Nov 2010 Reviews
Michael Coveney: Flower of Scotland, and musical theatre - 24th Oct 2012 Blog


Reader Comments


CommentDate
Poor man, he hasn't a clue what he's let himself in for.....neither of course has the Royal Court. - Coral

24 Oct 12


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