The Board of the National Theatre has revealed today that Rufus Norris is to take over from Nicholas Hytner as Director.
48-year-old Norris, who was a RADA-trained actor for several years before he turned to directing, has been an associate director at the National for the last two years but has been directing there since 2006 with his productions of The Amen Corner by James Baldwin (2013), Table by Tanya Ronder (2013), London Road by Alecky Blythe and Adam Cork (2011), Death and the King's Horseman by Wole Soyinka (2009) and Market Boy by David Eldridge (2006).
He was an associate director at the Young Vic from 2002 to 2007, and his other work as a director includes Festen adapted by David Eldridge at the Almeida in 2004 and the musical Cabaret, which is still on tour.
John Makinson, Chairman of the National Theatre, said of Norris, "He is an exciting choice, someone who will build on the National Theatre's present reputation as one of the most admired and innovative performing arts organisations in the world. We are fortunate that he has chosen to join us."
Nicholas Hytner expressed his delight at the appointment, adding, "His work as a director is always searching, deeply considered and adventurous and I have no doubt he will bring these qualities to the running of the National. His appointment will be welcomed with great excitement both within the National and in the theatre at large."
Norris himself said, "This appointment is a great honour and I am thrilled at the prospect and challenge of leading this exceptional organisation, where it has been a privilege to work under the inspirational leadership of Nick Hytner.
"The National is an extraordinary place, full of extraordinary people, and I look forward with relish to the task ahead—that being to fill our theatres with the most exciting, accessible and ground-breaking work our unique and broad community of artists has to offer."
Norris will take over from Hytner with effect from April 2015.