National Theatre of Scotland Artistic Director Laurie Sansom to Depart

Laurie Sansom, the National Theatre of Scotland's Artistic Director and Chief Executive is to leave the company at the end of June.

His three years in charge have seen the company produce a diverse range of critically-acclaimed and impactful theatre, the centerpiece of which has been The James Plays, the epic trilogy of history plays charting the fortunes of Scottish Kings James I, II & III which have played to five-star reviews at international festivals in Edinburgh, Adelaide and Auckland and at the National Theatre of Great Britain in London. The award-winning plays, directed by Laurie, are currently on a Scottish and UK tour and have star billing at Toronto's Luminato Festival.

Following his experience of directing large-scale new work for the National Theatre of Scotland Laurie now plans to explore ambitious directing opportunities in the UK and internationally.

Lucy Mason will take up the role of interim Chief Executive, on his departure, while the National Theatre of Scotland puts in place a senior leadership structure to take the company into its second exciting decade.

Dame Seona Reid, Chair of the National Theatre of Scotland says:

"During the past three years Laurie's imprint on theatre-making in Scotland has been impactful and far-reaching. Throughout this time, as they have done for a decade, the staff, company and wider community of creative collaborators that form the National Theatre of Scotland have delivered with passion on their mission of creating inspiring theatre experiences for, and of Scotland, for the widest range of audiences.

Laurie is without question one of the world's leading theatre directors. It is entirely fitting that his three years at the National Theatre of Scotland come to a close as the epic trilogy of The James Plays which he has nurtured and directed have been playing to Scottish and international audiences and to critical acclaim.''

We wish Laurie every success for the future. He is a special talent and we thank him warmly for his defining contribution to theatre-making in Scotland.

The National Theatre of Scotland looks forward to starting its second decade by delivering a wide range of compelling new work and its first permanent home in Glasgow which we are committed to establishing as a creative heart for Scotland's theatre-makers."

Laurie Sansom says: 'I'm intensely proud to have been part of a National Theatre of Scotland which has produced such a wealth of bold and relevant theatre for audiences across a nation and across the world.

'It has been a privilege to play a part in shaping the story of an amazing first decade in the life of one of the world's great new national theatre companies but I believe it is time for new leadership to take the Company into its next decade as it moves into its new creation centre. I can't thank enough the artists and audiences who have made this such a rewarding and inspiring time for me".

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