Okay, not that Will Young.
The Royal Court Theatre has announced that the Executive Director at London fringe venue the New Diorama Theatre, Will Young, is going to take up the same post at the Royal Court Theatre in early 2024.
His appointment comes following the appointment of the New Diorama Theatre artistic director David Byrne as new artistic director of the Royal Court, replacing Vicky Featherstone.
Young replaces interim Executive Director Rebekah Jones.
The Royal Court, appreciating the sensitivities, were at pains to say that the recruitment process was open, and that the appointment of the Executive Director was made by a sub-committee of the Royal Court Board, observed by a Senior Relationship Manager at Arts Council England and approved by the full Board of the Royal Court Theatre.
Will has been Executive Director at New Diorama Theatre since early 2021, working together with Artistic Director David Byrne, winning both The Stage Fringe Theatre of the Year 2022, the Critics Circle Empty Space Venue Award 2023, and transferring multiple productions to London’s West End – most notably, Operation Mincemeat and For Black Boys Who Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy – which announced this week that it is returning to the West End.
Prior to this, he was Relationship Manager at Arts Council England, based in the London theatre team. He was previously co-founder and producer of independent theatre company Supporting Wall, premiering new work in the UK and internationally – winning both an Olivier Award and Fringe First Award among other accolades.
Anthony Burton CBE, Chair of the Royal Court Theatre said in a statement: “Myself and the board of the English Stage Company are delighted to appoint Will Young as our new Executive Director, following a competitive recruitment process. Will brings extensive experience as a theatre producer, executive director, most recently at New Diorama, and as Relationship Manager at Arts Council England. I am confident he will be a major asset to the Royal Court as, together with our new Artistic Director, David Byrne, we prepare for this new era of the theatre’s history.”
Will Young said: “It’s the honour of a lifetime to be appointed as Executive Director at the most significant and exciting new writing theatre in the country. From first arriving in London in my early 20s and discovering the Royal Court’s bargain-priced standing seats to working with the brilliant Court team on For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy over the past few years, it’s long been a theatre close to my heart. I can’t wait to get started.”
Currently playing at the Royal Court is comedy Mates in Chelsea, until 16 December 2023. That is followed by the RSC’s Cowbois, from 11 January to 10 February 2024.
Related News
Ben Whishaw, Sheila Hancock and Helen McCrory: BBC Radio 4 opens the Royal Court’s archive for its 70th anniversary
Full cast announced for new play Blood of my Blood at the Royal Court Theatre
Tilda Swinton led Man to Man announces international dates for run
The Young Playwrights Award 2026 winners announced
Latest News
Broadway legend Patti LuPone returns to the London Coliseum for Valentine’s Day 2027
Helen of Troy never got to tell her side. Watch the trailer for the play that does
After a sell-out world tour, The Choir of Man returns to the West End this Christmas
