Leeds Playhouse Appoints Tom Wright from Kiln Theatre as Artistic Director

Tom Wright will take up the role of Artistic Director at Leeds Playhouse, working closely with newly promoted Chief Executive Shawab Iqbal to form the executive leadership team of the organisation. Tom, who is currently Associate Artistic Director at Kiln Theatre London, will be joining the Playhouse in his new role in June this year. He succeeds current Artistic Director, James Brining, who leaves the organisation in April after thirteen years.
 
Tom is a writer, director, producer and dramaturg originally from Coventry, with over a decade’s track record of developing new and innovative work with some of the UK’s most dynamic theatre artists at Kiln Theatre and The Old Vic. His latest play, Please Please Me, will also premiere at Kiln Theatre in 2026.
 
Throughout his time at Kiln Theatre he has worked closely with Artistic Directors Indhu Rubasingham and Amit Sharma in developing and delivering the artistic programme. This includes Retrograde by Ryan Calais Cameron, which recently transferred to London’s West End, The Wife of Willesden by Zadie Smith, which transferred to Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York, NW Trilogy by Moira Buffini, Suhayla El-Bushra and Roy Williams, Seagulls by Dipo Baruwa-Etti and Taio Lawson, Peanut Butter & Blueberries by Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan, The Darkest Part of the Night by ZODWA NYONI and Shanghai Dolls by Amy Ng. At the same time, he established a plethora of artist development opportunities, including Kiln’s Listen Local Writers Programmes supporting local and first-time writers and amplifying their voices.
 
Previous to this, Tom was the Head of Artist Development at The Old Vic, where he led The Old Vic 12 and a range of ground-breaking initiatives. His work has helped propel countless theatre artists into the next stages of their careers. OV12 alumni include Miranda Cromwell, Jesse Jones, Lanre Malaolu, Sonali Bhattacharyya and Rachael Nanyonjo.
 
His deep connection with his hometown of Coventry saw him premiere I Ain’t Dumb at the Belgrade Theatre as part of the UK City of Culture celebrations and launch an LGBTQ+ youth theatre. He continued his involvement with the theatre as a member of its programming committee.
  
Tom Wright said: “I’m overjoyed to be joining Leeds Playhouse - a theatre that pulses with creativity, ambition, and a deep commitment to its community. The Playhouse has long been a beacon of powerful storytelling, inclusivity and artistic innovation, and I’m honoured to build on the incredible work of James and the team, alongside Shawab, a passionate and forward-thinking leader. Leeds is one of the UK’s most vibrant and dynamic cities, and I can’t wait to collaborate with its artists, audiences and communities to create theatre that inspires, challenges, entertains, and excites.”
 
Shawab Iqbal, Chief Executive of Leeds Playhouse said: “Tom’s appointment as the new Artistic Director of Leeds Playhouse is hugely energising. He has an impressive track record of developing dynamic work with some of today’s most exciting artists, with genuine inclusion always underpinning his practice, both at The Old Vic and Kiln Theatre. This, along with his nuanced understanding of regional theatre, will allow him to build on the longstanding values of the Playhouse as it enters its 55th year. I can’t wait for him to bring his collaborative leadership and vision to Leeds and the wider region, and look forward to forming the new executive leadership team with him in my new role as Chief Executive.”
 
As a writer, Tom’s acclaimed plays include My Dad’s Gap Year (Park Theatre), Undetectable (King’s Head Theatre), and Very Special Guest Star (Omnibus Theatre). His work as a theatre director has seen recent productions including Dumbledore Is So Gay (Southwark Playhouse and Vault Festival, Origins Award Winner); Blowhole (Soho Theatre and Pleasance Theatre) and Tumble Tuck (King’s Head Theatre and Underbelly Edinburgh).
 
Tom’s award-winning debut short film Stockholm premiered at BFI Flare: London LGBTQ+ Film Festival, gaining international recognition and winning Best Cinematography at the LA LGBTQ+ Festival. His second short film Kweenship was completed in the same year, followed by a commission from Sky Arts to make his third short film Sent To Cov for national broadcast.
 
Additional projects include the musical adaptation of Jamie O’Neill’s award-winning novel At Swim, Two Boys retitled Rebel Song (The Other Palace), and Sirens and White Lies (ArtsEd), a double bill of new plays both written and directed by himself.
 
For the last two years he has been, and continues to be, a trustee of the Olivier Award-winning Papatango Theatre, a company known for championing the next generation of playwrights.
 
Leeds Playhouse is one of the UK’s premiere theatres, celebrated for its dedication to making theatre accessible to all. Tom’s ethos aligns perfectly with this mission, focusing on nurturing the next generation of theatre artists and fostering a movement of empowered, joyful, and disruptive voices. This commitment resonates deeply with the founding principles of Leeds Playhouse, a theatre that remains at the heart of its communities, creating world class theatre, supporting the local cultural ecology, and continuing to develop pioneering Playhouse Connect programmes.