Laurie Sansom appointed artistic director of National Theatre of Scotland

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.