Leeds Playhouse artistic director and CEO James Brining is to leave Leeds Playhouse next April after 12 years in the city. He will become artistic director and joint CEO of the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh.
Leeds Playhouse executive director Shawab Iqbal will take on the CEO role jointly with Brining's successor as artistic director
James Brining said: “Leeds is my home town and it’s been the privilege of a lifetime to lead this great theatre in the city and region I was brought up in and care about deeply.
"The theatre has a national and international reputation, not only for producing incredible theatre but equally for its pioneering initiatives, including becoming the world’s first theatre of sanctuary, and for developing relaxed and dementia-friendly performances.
"I’m very proud of all we have achieved together and want to thank the people of Leeds, our audiences and supporters and above all, the hugely talented and dedicated Playhouse staff and superb freelancers with whom I have worked."
Of his colleague Shawab Iqbal, he added: “Shawab is a brilliant colleague and has been inspirational to work with. Having him jointly at the helm puts the Playhouse in a fundamentally strong position for a bright new artistic chapter.”
During his 12 years in charge, James has directed over 20 productions, from new writing to classics, large-scale musicals to studio work, and most recently highly-acclaimed productions of My Fair Lady and Oliver! - both nominated in this year's UK Theatre Awards.
Presiding over the production of around 140 original productions, including 65 new commissions, he has overseen work of regional, national and international significance as well as leading the playhouse through a £16.8m redevelopment. The Playhouse was subsequently named the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre in 2022.
Shawab Iqbal joined Leeds Playhouse as executive director in October 2022, having previously been executive director and CEO at the Gate Theatre. He sits on Arts Council England’s London area council as a Mayor of London appointment and is vice-chair of Tamasha, the home for emerging and established global majority artists.
Laurence Brophy and Simon Robinson on behalf of the Board of Trustees said: “We want to thank James for the drive and creativity he has brought to the Playhouse, and for his passionate and confident leadership over the last 12 years. He has played a particularly important role in re-imagining the programme and producing high quality productions that have toured extensively nationally and internationally."
Recruitment for Brining's successor will begin shortly.
More info here