Birmingham REP announces new artistic and executive directors

Award-winning actor, writer and director Sean Foley will take on the role of artistic director. Amit Sharma has been named deputy artistic director while Racahel Thomas will become executive director.

Sean Foley co-founded The Right Size, creating many original comedies and touring nationally and throughout the world.

He is a double Olivier Award-winner for co-writing and starring in The Play What I Wrote - also Tony nominated - and Do You Come Here Often? He directed the Olivier Award-winning Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense, and has also directed, co-written or starred in many further Olivier Award-nominated productions, including The Ladykillers, Ducktastic, Arturo Brachetti: Change, and The Miser.

His film directing credits include Mindhorn starring Julian Barrett and Steve Coogan; and his TV credits include Marilyn Monroe and Billy Wilder, starring Gemma Arterton, and One Normal Night - both for Sky Arts.

Sean said of his appointment: “Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s history as one of the most important theatres in the country is inspiring.

"Birmingham itself has always had an exceptional level of creativity and innovation, and has a unique and world-class cultural ecology.

"I’m tremendously honoured to be invited to contribute to that, and to have been appointed Artistic Director at this ground-breaking theatre.

“The UK’s ‘Second City’ is full of amazing people: as one of the most multicultural cities in Britain, its stories are specific, but also universal.

"I’m British, but also half Irish, half Brummie, and am excited to be returning to work in the city having grown up in its suburbs.

“I hope to fill the theatre with stories that engage all its communities and audiences while connecting with the wider world.

"The ambition, in taking on this exciting challenge with Amit and Rachael, is to create a national home for truly popular theatre.”

Amit Sharma has been associate director at Graeae Theatre Company since 2011 and also associate artistic director at the Royal Exchange, Manchester from 2017 to 2019.

For Graeae, Amit directed the world première of Jack Thorne’s The Solid Life of Sugar Water – a hit of the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Cosmic Scallies at the Royal Exchange, and The Iron Man which toured nationally and internationally.

Amit has extensive experience in creating opportunities for artists - he led Graeae’s flagship UK-wide new writing programme, Write to Play and developed many opportunities for D/deaf and disabled artists while at the Royal Exchange.

Speaking of his new role, Amit said: "I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the iconic Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

"I know what a wonderful theatre it is having performed on its main stage, directed a show which was programmed in The DOOR and worked with the arts team developing new talent in the past.

"I have had such an amazing time with Graeae, who will always be part of my life, but the opportunity to join Sean, Rachael and the remarkable team in Birmingham fills me with such excitement that I can't wait to get started on the next chapter in The REP's illustrious history.”

Rachael Thomas joins The REP following her role as executive director of Derby Theatre and a 25-year career in the cultural sector.

At Derby Theatre she has helped secure significant increases in grant funding and earned income from programme and commercial sources. In her previous role at Lincoln Castle she project managed the delivery of Lincoln Castle Revealed - the £22 million award-winning restoration and re-interpretation of the medieval castle and Magna Carta exhibition.

Prior to this Rachael worked for 10 years at Nottingham Playhouse as Head of Finance and Business Development.

At The REP Rachael will work closely with Sean Foley and Amit Sharma to realise their artistic vision, alongside managing and developing the business plan and the strategic management of the organisation.

Rachael Thomas said of her appointment: “The REP is a theatre that I’ve admired throughout my career and I’m absolutely thrilled to be appointed Executive Director.

"These are exciting times for Birmingham as it continues its transformation into a world class city - from the major redevelopment of the city centre to its role as host of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the vision and ambition within the city is clear.

"As one of the UK’s most multicultural cities it’s also a place with many different stories to be told and many communities to connect with and the wealth of opportunities that this presents for the theatre is extraordinary.

"With Sean and Amit I share a vision for The REP to play a bold and distinctive role in the life of the city as a theatre that’s firmly grounded in and relevant to all its local communities but with a national and international outlook.”

Angela Maxwell, chair of the board at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, said: “The board set out to find a leadership team with a creative and cultural reputation who could take the theatre on to even greater success as a leading player in contemporary British theatre.

“Sean, Amit and Rachael are an exciting combination and in them we have found a dream team with a passion for theatre, commitment to excellence and an ambition to raise the profile and impact of The REP for the future. We’re thrilled they have chosen to come and work with us and they demonstrate Birmingham’s growing cultural confidence and ability to attract artistic talent.”