Since Mark Thomson’s announcement that he would be stepping down as the Lyceum’s Artistic Director in 2016 after serving 13 years in the post, the question of who will replace him has been hovering. On 09 September, the waiting was over when an announcement was made by the Lyceum’s Board Chair, Shonaig Macpherson, that the theatre’s Artistic Director Designate is David Greig.
In her announcement Shonaig Macpherson said, “We are delighted that David Greig will be taking up the post of Artistic Director of The Lyceum to lead the company into its 51st year. Already a major figure in British drama, David’s plays have been performed at theatres across the UK including the RSC, National Theatre, Royal Court and the Edinburgh International Festival. He is an inspirational and widely respected figure in Scottish Arts where he has been a committed champion of the nation’s creativity through his many roles with The Traverse Theatre, Playwrights Studio and National Theatre of Scotland. His appointment offers an exciting new direction for The Lyceum and its audiences who have already enjoyed his work in Dunsinane (his acclaimed sequel to Macbeth) and most recently, his new stage version of Alasdair Gray’s Lanark which played to full houses here at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival…David will inherit a thriving company from Mark Thomson who has been one of The Lyceum’s most successful Artistic Directors and our longest standing. … after delivering an exceptional 50th Anniversary programme which gets under way later this month with Brian Cox and Bill Paterson in Waiting for Godot. “
Edinburgh born David Greig is an award winning theatre maker whose plays, most of which have premiered in Scotland , have been performed at all of the major theatres in Britain and many more across the world,. In 1990 he co-founded Suspect Culture Theatre Company and from 2005 to 2007 he was the first Dramaturg of The National Theatre of Scotland.
On his appointment Greig says, “I’m thrilled and flattered that the board has shown confidence in my vision. The Lyceum …sits at the heart of Scottish drama and Edinburgh life. It’s the stage on which I saw my first play, and it’s been part of my theatre making for nearly two decades now. …”
Current Lyceum Artistic Director Mark Thomson says, “David's appointment is great news for The Lyceum. He brings vast experience and knowledge of theatre to the company and I am glad there will be a much admired and respected theatre artist leading the company to what I am sure will be an exciting future. “