News Story
We have today announced that our Artistic Director Tamara Harvey is to join the Royal Shakespeare Company as their new Co-Artistic Director.
Tamara’s arrival at Theatr Clwyd in 2015, joined by Executive Director Liam Evans-Ford in 2016, marked the beginning of a remarkable turnaround for Wales’ biggest producing theatre. Theatr Clwyd's renewed focus on developing Welsh voices and artists with over 50 world premieres, many touring Wales and the UK, has brought a new vibrancy to the venue.
Alongside stage success, the significant changes to Theatr Clwyd’s approach to community work, as well as the essential redevelopment of our building, which will ensure the organisation flourishes for years to come, have been industry leading. This dynamic and front-footed approach was a key reason we were named as The Stage’s ‘Regional Theatre Of The Year’ in 2021.
The word ‘life-changing’ is overused but Theatr Clwyd has, genuinely, changed my life. This is where I learned to be an Artistic Director, where I became a mother, where I’ve directed some of the work of which I’m most proud, and where I’ve had one of the most important collaborative relationships of my career with the brilliant Liam Evans-Ford. It will be heart wrenching to leave the team at Theatr Clwyd –world class theatre makers as well as properly lovely humans – but I do so knowing that our theatre on a hill will continue to be a vital home for our communities and a cultural beacon for Wales. And I leave safe in the knowledge that nowhere could have given me a better foundation for stepping into one of the biggest roles in world theatre. To be Co-Artistic Director of the RSC alongside the amazing Daniel Evans is a once in a lifetime opportunity and the only thing that could have lured me away from North Wales.Tamara Harvey
Major production successes have included the Olivier Award-winning Home, I’m Darling, UK Theatre Award-winning The Assassination of Katie Hopkins, Mold Riots in the streets of Mold with a company of over 250 people, and the immersive hit show The Great Gatsby. Home, I’m Darling, directed by Tamara, opened at Theatr Clwyd in co-production with London’s National Theatre before transferring to the West End and touring the UK.
Our national and international search for a new Artistic Director will begin in late 2022.
Tamara’s new role will be Co-Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company alongside Wales’ Daniel Evans who joins from Chichester Festival Theatre.
Harvey’s next directorial project is new musical The Famous Five(23 Sep – 15 Oct) in a co-production with Chichester Festival Theatre, followed by this year’s rock & roll pantomimeRobin Hood (19 Nov – 14 Jan).
I’ve been fortunate enough to lead a major arts organisation with Tamara for over 6 years. During this time, we have made huge strides in placing our communities at the heart of what we do, and championing Welsh artists at all scales of production. I’ll miss Tamara greatly, as will many others, but she leaves behind an organisation that is in a strong position for the future. We cannot wait to see what she achieves in her new role.Liam Evans-Ford - Joint CEO
It is a huge credit to the leadership of Tamara and Liam that the work and approach achieved at Theatr Clwyd is now sought after by the biggest organisation in world theatre. Tamara will undoubtedly be missed, but she leaves a shining jewel in the crown of Welsh theatre that will undoubtedly attract the best talent in Wales, the UK and the world.Helen Watson - Chair of Theatr Clwyd's board
Liam Evans-Ford | Tamara Harvey
