The Old Vic has announced that award-winning director Rupert Goold (Dear England, Patriots) will be the next Artistic Director of The Old Vic.
Goold is currently Artistic Director of the Almeida Theatre. He takes over at The Old Vic from current Artistic Director Matthew Warchus, who announced in May this year that he is stepping down in 2026, after 11 years. Warchus will program his final season up to the end of 2026.
Rupert Goold will join The Old Vic in spring 2026, working alongside Executive Director Laura Stevenson as Co-Chief Executives.
Also announced today, acclaimed director Rebecca Frecknall (A Streetcar Named Desire) is joining The Old Vic as Associate Director, in a new role that will support the Artistic Director.
Rebecca is currently Associate Director at the Almeida.
The search for a new Artistic Director was led by a Succession Committee of the Board at The Old Vic.
Rupert Goold is a multi-award-winning director and has been the Artistic Director of the Almeida Theatre since 2013. During his tenure there, some of his notable productions have included Tammy Faye, Spring Awakening, Richard III, Patriots, King Charles III and Ink, some of which transferred to the West End and Broadway.
Patriots had a successful run on Broadway earlier this year, although Goold’s Broadway production of musical Tammy Faye has been less successful, getting a critical mauling, and posting early closing notices for 8 December.
Goold directed the Olivier Award-winning James Graham drama Dear England at the National Theatre and in the West End, which is returning to the National Theatre in 2025; and at The Old Vic, directed the world premiere of Mike Bartlett’s The 47th in 2022.
Goold has twice won the Olivier, Critics’ Circle and Evening Standard Awards, for Macbeth in 2007 and ENRON in 2009.
Prior to his tenure at the Almeida, Rupert Goold was Artistic Director of Headlong Theatre from 2005 to 2013 and has been an Associate Director at the Royal Shakespeare Company since 2010. He was appointed CBE for services to drama in 2017.
Rebecca Frecknall’s productions include the forthcoming revival of Tennessee Williams’s drama Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at the Almeida. Her other productions include Summer & Smoke, Three Sisters, Romeo & Juliet and The Duchess of Malfi.
Rebecca won the Olivier Award in 2022 for her production of Cabaret in the West End.
Frecknall’s Olivier Award-winning production of A Streetcar Named Desire starring Paul Mescal, Patsy Ferran and Anjana Vasan, is returning to the West End in 2025, playing the Noel Coward Theatre for 3 weeks before transferring to New York.
Currently playing at The Old Vic is A Christmas Carol starring John Simm. Coming up is Oedipus starring Indira Varma and Rami Malek from 21 January; and new Conor McPherson play The Brightening Air from 10 April 2025.
What They Said
Rupert Goold said in a statement issued by The Old Vic: “After 11 wonderful, demanding, and richly rewarding years at the Almeida I’ve decided to head across the river in search of a new challenge. It’s been the privilege of my life to have led the Almeida over the past decade. But I believe it’s important that our theatres are renewed through new leadership and that in turn can and should bring new artists and ideas into this unique space. I join The Old Vic with excitement and trepidation in following the extraordinary work of Matthew Warchus. I look forward to producing and making work on this storied stage and continuing my path as an Artistic Director alongside Laura Stevenson. As a theatre maker who has always been interested in reaching as wide an audience as possible, I am deeply excited by the possibilities of this iconic theatre over the coming years. Rebecca Frecknall will be joining me on the move and so I hope all those who have enjoyed our work together will continue to see its evolution on The Cut.”
Rupert Goold’s statement issued by the Almeida Theatre said: “After 11 wonderful, demanding, and richly rewarding years at the Almeida, I’ve decided to head across the river in search of a new challenge. No one could happily let go of a theatre as intimate and magical as the Almeida and it’s been the privilege of my life to have led the building over the past decade. Our mission was to be bold, provocative and to bring the best new and emerging artists to their deserved prominence. The Almeida has cemented its position within the local Islington community and grown its reach and reputation internationally, and I hope that is a tribute to the integrity, commitment and vision we have aspired to in the programme. However, I believe it’s important that our theatres are renewed through new leadership and that, in turn, can and should bring new artists and ideas into this unique space. Knowing when to leave is always the hardest thing but, although my time is up in Islington, I look forward to concluding my tenure with a final run of exciting productions. Denise has stood beside me as my alter ego on the journey and I owe her a huge debt of thanks as a friend and colleague. Also, I want to thank and acknowledge every artist and theatre maker who has worked with us in my time and the phenomenal and passionate staff who have made the Almeida such a special family. I join The Old Vic with excitement and trepidation in following the extraordinary work of Matthew Warchus. I look forward to producing and making work on this storied stage and continuing my path as an Artistic Director alongside Laura Stevenson. As a theatre maker who has always been interested in reaching as wide an audience as possible, I am deeply excited by the possibilities of this iconic theatre over the coming years.”
Nick Clarry, Chair of The Old Vic, said: “The Trustees are delighted to have appointed Rupert Goold as the new Artistic Director of The Old Vic. We are extremely grateful for the leadership of Matthew Warchus, firstly with Kate Varah and latterly with Laura Stevenson, and to the many others who have worked as part of our team during his tenure. Our 206-year-old theatre has thrived artistically over the last ten years – transforming our work on and off stage and welcoming more people through our doors than ever before. Looking to the future, with Rupert and Laura as Co-CEOs, the Board believes we have an exceptional team to lead The Old Vic into its next chapter.”
Laura Stevenson, Executive Director of The Old Vic, said: “I am thrilled that Rupert has been appointed as the next Artistic Director of The Old Vic. I have long admired Rupert’s work and look forward to working with him to build on Matthew’s legacy of bringing world-class theatre to all. Rupert and I are delighted that his appointment will coincide with the opening of our Backstage building, cementing The Old Vic’s commitment to our local community as well as giving us new opportunities to develop artist and education programmes.”
Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Almeida Theatre, Luke Johnson, said, “Rupert Goold and Denise Wood have been a spectacular double act at the Almeida over the last decade. For me, they have made it the most successful, independent producing theatre in London, originating a stream of award-winning shows. They have cultivated outstanding new writing, directing and performing talent, and leave the venue in excellent artistic and financial health. We have been lucky to work with them, and wish them the very best in their next endeavours.”
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