New artistic boss joins Hippodrome
BIRMINGHAM’S famous Hippodrome theatre has appointed a new artistic director and chief executive.
Jon Gilchrist will join the privately owned theatre next spring following the departure of previous chief executive Fiona Allan who left the theatre in November to return to her homeland to run Opera Australia.
Mr Gilchrist has been executive director of multi-arts venue Home in Manchester since 2018 and was recently elected joint president of UK Theatre, a role which he will take up in 2022.
He is also on the boards of the Edge Theatre in Manchester and HighTide Theatre in Suffolk and was previously executive director of the Bush Theatre in London for four years. In this time, he led its major capital redevelopment and helped expand the organisation’s reach as a centre of excellence for diverse emerging talent.
He has also worked in marketing roles for theatres in Salford, Bolton and Lancaster.
Mr Gilchrist said: “I have always admired the Hippodrome as one of the UK’s best theatres.
“Now, as the team continues the path to recovery from the pandemic, it is even more important to provide people with some much-needed joy in these challenging times.
“Birmingham has one of the richest cultural landscapes in the country and 2022 is a chance to amplify the city’s extraordinary art and artists on an international stage.
“It’s an exciting moment for the Hippodrome to reflect the city and to create a cultural legacy from the
Commonwealth Games. I can’t wait to get started.”
Glenn Howells, chairman of Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust, added: “We are delighted that Jon will be joining us in the spring and leading the Hippodrome as it embarks on the next chapter of its evolution.
“Covid has had a profound effect on the organisation but our future plans remain as exciting and ambitious as ever, particularly as we look forward to welcoming the Commonwealth Games to the region.
“Jon brings the experience, creativity, vision and enthusiasm we need to progress the Hippodrome’s future plans and deepen our levels of engagement with the people of our region.
“On behalf of everyone here at Birmingham Hippodrome, we look forward to welcoming Jon to the team.”