The Stage

Watford Palace appoints first literary director

Published Tuesday 20 July 2004 at 10:50 by Jeremy Austin

Watford Palace Theatre has appointed Joyce Branagh as its first literary director, in a move that artistic director Lawrence Till hopes will strengthen the reopening venue’s reputation as a developer of new work.

As well as working with emerging playwrights, Branagh will also be responsible for directing mainstage and small-scale productions, pioneering new education initiatives and will have a leading role in the theatre’s commissions, adaptations and translations. She will also work with regional writers’ groups and other organisations to improve the creation of new work in the area.

Commenting on her appointment, Till said: “With her experience, particularly in new writing, Joyce is the ideal person to further develop the commitment to new work that the theatre has become renowned for.”

Branagh joins the venue from the Orange Tree in Richmond, where she directed the School’s Shakespeare tour. She was previously a trainee director at the venue and has taken part in Channel 4’s Regional Theatre Directors Scheme. She has been directing professionally since 1995 and has worked at many venues, predominantly in Bristol.

John Davidson of Arts Council England East, which provides funding for the theatre, said: “Joyce will use her considerable experience to discover major new playwrights and help create plays of enduring stature from this region, which will raise the profile of the theatre and of the east of England as a place where emerging talent can experiment and thrive.”