Nicholas Hytner has announced that he will leave the National Theatre at the end of March 2015, after ten years as director.
He has said of the role, "It’s been a joy and a privilege to lead the National Theatre for ten years and I’m looking forward to the next two.
"I have the most exciting and most fulfilling job in the English-speaking theatre; and after twelve years it will be time to give someone else a turn to enjoy the company of my stupendous colleagues, who together make the National what it is.”
In the same announcement it was revealed that Nick Starr is also to step down from his post of executive director during the course of next year saying “it’s time for me to plough new furrows”. He has been in post since 2002.
John Makinson, chairman of the National Theatre, commented that the board had been aware for some time though, "it is a sad moment for the National Theatre nonetheless."
The new director should be announced in the autumn following which the new executive director will be appointed.