NDT Artistic Director David Byrne to step down - and we're seeking a successor

20 July 2023

After more than a decade, NDT’s Artistic Director is leaving to become Artistic Director at the Royal Court.

While we reflect on David's huge achievements in the role over the past decade, NDT is also looking towards our agenda for the next decade, with recruimement now open for our next Artistic Director & CEO. Find out more & apply here.

Under David’s leadership, New Diorama has won many accolades including being named The Stage Fringe Theatre of the Year on multiple occasions. Earlier this year, the theatre won the inaugural Critic’s Circle Peter Brook Empty Space prize. New Diorama’s sell-out co-production with Nouveau Riche, FOR BLACK BOYS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE GETS HUE GETS TOO HEAVY, written by Ryan Calais Cameron, ran at the Royal Court in 2022 before transferring to the West End earlier this year. The New Diorama’s production of OPERATION MINCEMEAT, written and composed by SpitLip, followed FOR BLACK BOYS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE GETS HUE GETS TOO HEAVY into the West End this Spring, to widespread critical acclaim.

David says: “Running New Diorama has been the adventure of a lifetime, across the last thirteen years we've worked to redefine what is possible in a studio theatre - re-writing the theatre rule book on how artists are presented, resourced and supported. Now, as my tenure comes to an end, we’re going to be beginning a search for a new Artistic Director who'll take NDT forward into a new chapter.”

Known for his innovative and ground-breaking approach to working with artists, he has supported thousands of playwrights, theatre-makers and artists over the past decade. Launched in the wake of the COVID pandemic, one of David’s most recent projects, NDT Broadgate, has provided a revolutionary free rehearsal space for over 8,000 creatives.

Byrne’s plays have been performed across the UK winning multiple Off-West End awards. His recent productions include a radical adaptation of George Orwell’s DOWN AND OUT IN PARIS AND LONDON, THE INCIDENT ROOM co-written with Olivia Hirst, and SECRET LIFE OF HUMANS, both played to sold out audiences at the Edinburgh Festival as well as in London, before off-Broadway and international transfers.

Guy Holland, who founded the company with Carey English, says: “Since 1978 as Quicksilver Theatre and then as New Diorama from 2010 onwards, this has been a company that takes real artistic risks. David, Carey and I worked together for several years before he took over as Artistic Director & CEO. Since, he’s shown himself as an outstanding and innovative artist who’s led his team to do great things. I can't wait to see who is going to follow as the company's next Artistic Director.”

Anthony Burton CBE, Chair of the Royal Court Theatre says “We are thrilled that David will be our next Artistic Director. As Artistic Director of New Diorama, he has led it with huge success, nurturing and developing new writers and producing award winning work on international and national stages. He has a reputation for artistic excellence, creative disruption and innovation in artist support. We are very excited by the prospect of his leadership which will be fresh and surprising, whilst building on the groundbreaking legacy of his predecessor Vicky Featherstone.”

NDT's Board of Trustees have now launched their search for a new Artistic Director & CEO. For full information and application details, check out our recruitment page here.

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