Laurie Sansom announced as new Northern Broadsides artistic director

Laurie Sansom has been appointed as new artistic director of Northern Broadsides theatre company.

Succeeding Conrad Nelson in the position, Sansom was previously artistic director of National Theatre Scotland and Northampton's Royal and Derngate. His credits include Spring Storm and Beyond the Horizon, both of which opened in Northampton before transferring to the National Theatre. In 2018 he staged three shows – Genesis Inc at Hampstead Theatre, Kiss of the Spider Woman at the Menier Chocolate Factory and Nightfall at the Bridge Theatre.

Sansom said: "I'm thrilled to be joining Northern Broadsides at a moment when the companies who champion regional and diverse voices couldn't be more crucial. I spent many of my years as a young director working at The Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough and other theatres across the region, where the work of Northern Broadsides is so valued by audiences and artists alike.

"The company's bold and accessible take on classic and new plays has long been at the heart of the region's cultural life, and I'm looking forward to working closely with local communities and partner theatres to develop its role making popular, radical work that reflects the rich diversity of today's world."

The award-winning Northern Broadsides has existed for 26 years, championing northern artists with ensemble-led performances. Nelson was appointed as artistic director for a fixed 12 month period in March 2018 following the departure of Barrie Rutter. He will present his final show, a co-production of Much Ado About Nothing with the Young Vic in Newcastle-under-Lyme, later this month.

Sansom's first production for Northern Broadsides will be in spring 2020 and will be announced later in the year.