Liverpool's Royal Court Theatre will continue without an artistic director after Ken Alexander leaves next month.
Alexander, who has directed shows such as The Hitchhiker’s Guide To Fazakerley, Special Measures and Sons of the Desert, will leave at the end of his current production, Sex and the Suburbs, to pursue other projects and will not be replaced.
Responsibility for the artistic programme will revert to chief executive Kevin Fearon with the help of associate artistic director Bob Eaton and associate musical director Howard Gray. They will be supported by playwright John Godber, who saw the same model applied to Hull Truck Theatre after he left as artistic director until Mark Babych took over the role last year.
Alexander said, "It’s been great to have the opportunity to work with the Royal Court Theatre’s team on the development of the programme of productions in this wonderful theatre.
"It’s a tremendous city and I have been made to feel very welcome by the terrifically talented people working on stage and behind the scenes over the last 18 months."