The surprise choice for new artistic director of The Almeida Theatre Company will be Michael Attenborough, it emerged today.
Son of actor and director Richard Attenborough, he was chosen for the prestigious job after former directors Jonathan Kent and Ian McDiarmid announced they would be stepping down after more than 10 successful years at the Islington theatre.
Mr Attenborough, 51, has been principal associate director at the Royal Shakespeare Company since 1995. Throughout the Eighties he ran the Hampstead Theatre and the Watford Palace Theatre.
Nicholas De Jongh, the Evening Standard's chief theatre critic, said today: "It is a remarkable and surprising choice. He is a safe pair of hands but his choice is quite at variance with The Almeida's international repertoire."
The Almeida was founded in 1981, in premises built in 1836, and it soon became noted for its daring repertoire and as a renowned centre for exciting new drama, attracting stars such as Ralph Fiennes, Anna Friel and Kevin Spacey to its stage.
Under the stewardship of Mr Kent and Mr McDiarmid, the company received more than 45 awards, including the Evening Standard Award for outstanding achievement, and produced 15 plays in the West End.
The Almeida is currently based in a converted coach station in King's Cross, housing two theatre spaces, while its Islington home is refurbished. It will return there this winter, a few months after Mr Attenborough has taken the reins of the company.
Mr Attenborough's first marriage was to actress Jane Seymour, in 1971. They divorced five years later. He is now married to Karen Lewis and they have two sons.
