News

National Youth Theatre commits to boosting national reach

The National Youth Theatre has announced an expansion of its national programme, committing to provide free workshops in partnerships with local community groups to prepare young people across the country for the auditions running in February.

A round of free auditions for the National Youth Theatre will take place next month in Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, London and Manchester, and young people will also be able to audition online using the National Youth Theatre Hub.

Successful applicants will be invited to take part in summer intake courses which, for the first time in the charity’s history, will be taking place in cities across the country.

NYT artistic director and CEO Paul Roseby says, ‘Being national means being local and we’re proud to be in seven different arts venues around the country with our summer

National Youth Theatre members performing their critically acclaimed production of Animal Farm intake courses for the first time. The need to support young talent nationwide is greater than ever and we’re committed to responding to that challenge with this free offer.

‘Alongside this activity this year we’ll be boosting our national reach with a dynamic creative partnership with Leeds 2023, opportunities with our 10 associate companies around the country and major new programmes in Wales and the North East coming soon.’

The full list of audition dates can be found at nyt.org.uk/ freeauditions.

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Neil Constable to step down as Globe CEO Chief executive and trustee Neil Constable has advised the board that he will be stepping down from the role by the end of 2021, after almost 14 years at Shakespeare’s Globe.

Constable has guided the charity through three years of disruption from the pandemic, prioritising the security and future of the two-theatre venue and its significant accompanying education department.

which opened in 2014, and has established long-term plans for the completion of the Bankside site – as outlined by Sam Wanamaker 40 years ago.

Applications are now open for his position, but Constable will continue to take responsibility for the 2023 summer season at the venue, alongside artistic director Michelle Terry.

Having joined the Globe in 2010, Constale became ‘project champion’ for the development and fundraising for the candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse,

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On the news, Constable says, ‘It has been the greatest honour to serve the Globe for half its lifespan. This organisation is a truly unique place – beloved internationally, creatively ambitious, dynamic and a worthy custodian of Shakespeare for future generations to come. It is now the right moment for me to give the next generation of cultural leaders the opportunity of enjoying the adventure of this remarkable institution.’

Shakespeare’s Globe

Margaret Casely-Hayford CBE, chair of Shakespeare’s Globe, says, ‘Neil’s contribution to the Globe has been immense over the past 14 years, and on behalf of all of us, I would like to thank him for his years of dedicated leadership and vision. London’s creative economy is returning,

and the Globe is ready for the challenge of adapting to the new landscape ahead of us. I have very much enjoyed working closely with Neil, ensuring our beloved wooden ‘O’ remains a triumph to celebrate for years to come.

‘The Globe is one of the UK’s most successful independent cultural organisations, with two iconic theatres, and that is a wonderful testament to Neil’s work in driving forward its incredible ambitions over the years. I am particularly grateful to him for holding the wheel during the historic pandemic disruption. For all of us in leadership positions at that time, there was no rule book and no clear route to survival, yet with a steady hand Neil ensured the Globe re-emerged with great success. The next 25 years of the Globe’s life have undoubtedly been built upon firm foundations.’ shakespearesglobe.com.

6 Drama & Theatre Spring Term 2 2022/23

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