Anthony Biggs Steps Down As Artistic Director To Be Succeeded By Tom Littler

It was announced today that Anthony Biggs will step down as Artistic Director of leading Off West End venue Jermyn Street Theatre this summer to pursue new projects, after nearly five years in the post. His final production will be the UK Premiere of Maxim Gorky's The Last Ones, in a revised translation by Cathy Porter, which will play 6th June-1st July. He will be succeeded by current Jermyn Street Theatre Associate Director and former Artistic Director of Primavera theatre company Tom Littler who will present his first season at the venue this autumn.

Under Biggs' stewardship, Jermyn Street Theatre has thrived as a producing theatre with a policy of rediscovering classic plays and writers, whilst also staging new work and supporting emerging talent. Biggs has been a champion of artists' rights, establishing Jermyn Street Theatre as one of the first theatres to sign up to the Equity Fringe Agreement, and has developed close links abroad including The National Theatre of Norway in Oslo and NYU Tisch London.

Alongside his rare revivals by classic British authors including JB Priestley, Terence Rattigan and A.A. Milne, and less familiar names such as St John Hankin and John Van Druten, Biggs has focused on international writers such as Reza De Wet, Eugene O'Neill and Lillian Hellman. There has also been an eclectic programme of new work by writers including Ruby Rae Spiegel, Stephen Berkoff, and Lee Tannen, and musicals including See What I Wanna See, Closer Than Ever, and I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking it on the Road. Some of the many emerging artists who have recently worked at Jermyn Street Theatre with Biggs include Max Barton, Hannah Hauer-King, Roy Alexander Weise and Rebecca Lee.

Tom Littler is currently Associate Director at Jermyn Street Theatre. He founded the theatre company Primavera, and served as its Artistic Director for ten years. He has also been Associate Director of Theatre503, and Associate Director of the Peter Hall Company. At Jermyn Street Theatre, Littler has directed acclaimed productions of Stephen Sondheim's Saturday Night, which transferred to the West End, and Anyone Can Whistle; Howard Brenton's Bloody Poetry, Terence Rattigan's First Episode, and Graham Greene's The Living Room. Other directing credits include Dances of Death at the Gate Theatre; and Good Grief for Theatre Royal Bath. His productions have received numerous Critics' Choice and OffWestEnd Awards and nominations. He has directed around fifty productions throughout the UK and Europe, working on a range of new plays, revivals, rediscoveries and musicals.

Anthony Biggs says:

"I'm really proud of what we've achieved over the past five years, especially the international seasons and the introduction of the Equity Fringe Agreement. It's been a joy and a privilege to lead this special theatre, and I'm looking forward to pursuing new projects. I leave the theatre in very capable hands, and I wish Tom every success for the future."

Tom Littler says:

"I'm overjoyed to take on this role at my favourite Studio Theatre. Jermyn Street Theatre is an art-house jewel in the West End's crown and Anthony is handing on a thriving, much-loved venue. As Artistic Director, I'll be collaborating with theatres throughout the UK and abroad to deliver an ambitious programme of intriguing rediscoveries, alongside new work by emerging talents and major playwrights. Our audiences can look forward to intelligent, stimulating, entertaining productions, created and performed by equal numbers of women and men. I'm currently finalizing our unmissable autumn season."

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