Church quits Birmingham Rep for Chichester Festival Theatre
Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s artistic director Jonathan Church is leaving to take on the same role at Chichester Festival Theatre.
He will assume the post at one of the UK’s most highly subsidised companies next April, following the announcement that CFT’s three artistic directors Ruth MacKenzie, Martin Duncan and Steven Pimlott would leave at the end of their current contracts.
Church, who began his career as a technician, has been at the Birmingham Rep since 2001 and in that time has seen attendances rise by 92%. He said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of leading and programming the remarkable place that is Birmingham Repertory Theatre. The significant rise in audience figures has undoubtedly led to greater financial stability for the company and has created a more vibrant building within which to work.”
Before leaving for Chichester, Church will direct the world premiere of the UB40 musical Promises and Lies, which opens next March.
Full details of this story will feature in this week’s edition of The Stage.
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- Six will train backstage under Birmingham Rep youth pilot
- Listings: Chichester Festival Theatre
- Listings: Birmingham Repertory Theatre
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