Dundee Rep Theatre Appoints New Artistic Director
Today, Dundee Rep announces that Andrew Panton has been appointed as the theatre’s new Artistic Director.
Today, Dundee Rep announces that Andrew Panton has been appointed as the theatre’s new Artistic Director.
Andrew is well-known to Dundee audiences having recently directed the Ensemble in John Kolvenbach’s Love Song to huge critical acclaim. He was previously director for The Mill Lavvies and movement director for Sweeney Todd at the Rep. He has also directed work for Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum Theatre, the Royal & Derngate in Northampton, Perth Theatre, Citizens Theatre, Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough and worked with National Theatre of Scotland as assistant director on the multi-award winning Black Watch.
Andrew, as well as being Artistic Director of Musical Theatre at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, is Susan Boyle’s creative director and staged her UK and US live concert tours. He has worked on a range of leading BBC TV programmes including Children In Need and The Naked Choir and was responsible for directing a segment of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony, which was watched by an audience of more than one billion world-wide.
Andrew’s first season for Dundee Rep will open in autumn 2017.
Announcing his appointment, Nick Parr, Chief Executive of Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre said: ‘Securing a director of Andrew’s international standing is a huge coup for the Rep and the City of Dundee. The interview panel was hugely impressed by Andrew’s vision for the theatre and our Ensemble members are excited at the prospect of working with him again.
‘As a relative newcomer to the city myself, I know Andrew will receive a very warm welcome when he takes up his post.’
Commenting on his new role, Andrew Panton said: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Dundee Rep at such an exciting time for both the theatre and the city.
‘The Rep is such a well-regarded and important part of Dundee and Scotland’s cultural life, with a great heritage and fantastic team. I look forward to embracing my role and ensuring that we continue to be at the artistic heart of this dynamic and fast-changing city, communicating Dundee’s story to the world.’
Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland said: ‘We are delighted that Andrew Panton will become artistic director of one of Scotland's most important theatre companies.
‘We welcome the potential connection and collaboration between Dundee Rep and RCS and celebrate Andrew's achievement as well as the growing profile of our own Musical Theatre and Acting Programmes.’
Between now and next autumn, Andrew will work with the team at the Rep on planning his first season and on recruiting an Associate Director to join the artistic team. Andrew will be a regular fixture in the Rep from October and be based in Dundee from next spring.
Andrew will also continue as Artistic Director of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s internationally-acclaimed Musical Theatre department. Earlier this year RCS’s production of Cabaret which was directed by Andrew received five-star reviews from critics.