Theatre boss sparks off-stage drama with ‘monkeys’ staff quip

He is one of the most acclaimed directors of his generation, however he appears to have blotted his copybook off stage.

Rupert Goold, the artistic director of the Almeida Theatre in London, has caused outrage by referring to two of his female employees as ‘diary monkeys and house seat wranglers’.

He blithely made the comment on Twitter where he was paying tribute to them as they left the Almeida for greener pastures.

‘Diary monkey’ is a diary secretary, while ‘house seat wrangler’ refers to the front of house and box office staff.

‘ These two women redefined Almeida Theatre,’ he said of artistic producer Lucy Pattison and executive assistant emma Pritchard. ‘ Both arrived as diary monkeys & house seat wranglers. One leaves for Young Vic theatre as a major producer, the other as a proper writer & true artist. It’s been a total privilege to work alongside them. Lucy and emma, we will miss you.’

Goold, 46, recently directed Ralph Fiennes in Richard III and won Best Director Olivier awards for enron in 2010 and for Macbeth in 2008. Despite his illustrious thespian credentials, critics were quick to pounce on his remarks. ‘Well Rupert, you’ve certainly made a monkey of yourself with this tweet,’ says writer Alli Davies.

‘I’m sure these women deserve every accolade, but perhaps you need to rethink how you view the many brilliant people who keep the industry afloat. Respect is all.’

Another critic, Frances Scot, writes: ‘Very disparaging language. I am very glad I will never work for you or your organisation. Also very patronising tone to these talented women.’

‘It’s appalling,’ says a third. ‘ The level of smug, completely unaware privilege that drops from every letter.’

Goold, who is married to the actress Kate Fleetwood, went to University College School and Cambridge University. The Almeida Theatre, where he has been artistic director since 2013, declined to comment.