Artistic director joins ‘gem of a theatre’
Theatre producer Bill Kenwright has announced the appointment of his first artistic director at Theatre Royal Windsor.
From May, a Windsor Theatre Royal Summer Season will take place each year, under the directorship of Sean Mathias.
Bill Kenwright says: “Since I acquired Theatre Royal Windsor over twenty years ago there have been several changes in regional theatre. Most producing houses have been affected, probably none more so than Theatre Royal Windsor, which has no public subsidy whatsoever.
“As the next chapter in trying to establish Windsor Theatre Royal, again, as a major theatrical force, I’ve asked Sean to be the theatre’s artistic director for a four monthly annual season. We’ve talked about it for a couple of years now – and I am really pleased to say that he has agreed to start next year. He is not only a great director but also a passionate lover of all things theatre.”
Sean Mathias said: “Theatre Royal Windsor is an absolute gem of a theatre and I’m delighted and honoured that Bill has invited me to helm my first summer season there. I hope to bring a company of some of our best actors together to explore and invigorate classic texts and to give audiences a dynamic experience that will put Windsor centre stage once more in our ever-changing British theatre landscape.”
Sean Mathias’s multi-award-winning career includes productions at the Royal National Theatre, The Kennedy Centre, The Mark Taper Forum, Paris, Sidney and Cape Town, including many productions on Broadway.
Anne-Marie and Jon Woodley who manage the Theatre Royal said: “Sean is one of the UK’s finest directors, and after working with him on the Exorcist this summer he is also an absolute joy to have around. Windsor is very lucky indeed!”
Earlier this year Sean Mathias directed the UK premiere of Martin Sherman’s play Gently Down the Stream at the Park Theatre.
He has won various awards including WhatsOnStage Award, Standard Award, the Critics’ Circle Award, a Fringe First at Edinburgh and the Prix de la Jeunesse at Cannes.
The summer season will include productions of Hamlet and The Cherry Orchard.