London Theater News 

Award Winning Director, Rupert Goold, Transitioning to Old Vic

Drew Janine, ,
Award Winning Director, Rupert Goold, Transitioning to Old Vic
After more than a decade at the Almeida Theatre, Rupert Goold leaves and is announced the new Artistic Director of the Old Vic Theatre. As one of the most celebrated Artistic Director’s in the United Kingdom this move comes as somewhat of a surprise, but after rumours began back in May of the Old Vic’s current Artistic Director, Matthew Warchus, would step down from the role in 2026 a change was inevitable. Rupert Goold has had an illustrious career as a Director and an Artistic Director for over 20 years.
Award Winning Director, Rupert Goold, Transitioning to Old Vic
Left: Tom Edge, Right: Rupert Goold

The Old Vic has been around for quite some time, being first established in 1818 and was the original home of several well-known companies including the English National Opera and the National Theatre. To have Rupert Goold named as the new Artistic Director fits their magnificent reputation. Matthew Warchus originally announced back in May of this year that he would be stepping down as of January 2026.

Goold stated:

“After 11 wonderful, demanding and richly rewarding years at the Almeida, I’ve decided to head across the river in search of a new challenge. It’s been the privilege of my life to have led the Almeida over the past decade. But I believe it’s important that our theatres are renewed through new leadership and that in turn can and should bring new artists and ideas into this unique space.I join The Old Vic with excitement and trepidation in following the extraordinary work of Matthew Warchus. I look forward to producing and making work on this storied stage and continuing my path as an Artistic Director alongside Laura Stevenson. As a theatre maker who has always been interested in reaching as wide an audience as possible, I am deeply excited by the possibilities of this iconic theatre over the coming years.”

Award Winning Director, Rupert Goold, Transitioning to Old Vic
Right: Rupert Goold, Left: Rebecca Frecknall, Photo by: Marc Brenner

Award winning Director, Rupert Goold, in his transition to the Old Vic is bringing some of his team with him as he will be joined by Rebecca Frecknall as she will take on the role of Associate Director (the same role she held at the Almeida Theatre). The current board of the Old Vic strongly believes that they “have an exceptional team to lead the Old Vic into its next chapter”. Current Artistic Director, Matthew Warchus, will programme his final season for the Old Vic theatre up to the end of 2026 concluding his final season with them from 2025-2026.

Rupert Goold has been directing since 1997, with his first play beingTravels With My Aunt. He has won two Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Director for his works Macbeth and Enron. Many of his other works includingTammy Faye,Spring Awakening,Richard III,Patriots,King Charles III, andInk transferred to either London’s West End or New York’s Broadway. His success on these, and many of his other works, are some of the biggest reasons his name is so well-known in London. If that wasn’t enough, he was appointed CBE for services to drama in 2017. Further details about the transition and upcoming seasons for both the Old Vic and Almeida theatres are expected in the coming months as Goold will also continue to programme the Almeida Theatre through 2025.

 

All photos from Shutterstock.
Drew Janine
Live Sound Engineer -EUROPE
Janine has always been a part of music and performing. The first show that inspired her to go into theatre was the Velveteen Rabbit which she saw as a child, and Drew works to keep that magic alive as working behind the scenes in theatre as a live sound engineer. When Drew was accepted into an internship program for audio engineering at a recording studio, she jumped at the opportunity. That was at the start of 2020 and so much has happened since then, both in her career and in the world. Since then, Drew has taken several opportunities to work at recording studios, concerts, festivals, and even large theatres while spending time on tour across the North American continent and Europe. Drew’s favourite by far though has been the chance to work on Broadway and West End shows, as this was a dream come true. Drew is honoured to get to share these experiences from being inside the entertainment industry and hopes to inspire others to continue working in theatre.

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Drew Janine

Janine has always been a part of music and performing. The first show that inspired her to go into theatre was the Velveteen Rabbit which she saw as a child, and Drew works to keep that magic alive as working behind the scenes in theatre as a live sound engineer. When Drew was accepted into an internship program for audio engineering at a recording studio, she jumped at the opportunity. That was at the start of 2020 and so much has happened since then, both in her career and in the world. Since then, Drew has taken several opportunities to work at recording studios, concerts, festivals, and even large theatres while spending time on tour across the North American continent and Europe. Drew’s favourite by far though has been the chance to work on Broadway and West End shows, as this was a dream come true. Drew is honoured to get to share these experiences from being inside the entertainment industry and hopes to inspire others to continue working in theatre.