THE WATERMILL THEATRE IS DELIGHTED
TO ANNOUNCE THAT HEDDA BEEBY IS TO BE
ITS NEW ARTISTIC & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Press Release - 21 June 2007
The long search to appoint the new Artistic and Executive Director for the esteemed Watermill Theatre is over. The Board announced today that Hedda Beeby will take over the reins later this year.
James Sargant, Interim Executive Director and the husband of the late Jill Fraser, who ran the theatre for 25 years until her untimely death in February 2006, will leave The Watermill at the end of March 2008.
Announcing the news, James said "We are all delighted that Hedda has agreed to take over the leadership and the running of The Watermill. Jill had known and respected Hedda’s insight into theatre for many years and I feel sure that, if she were here today, she would be more than delighted to have Hedda leading this company of dedicated professionals into the future."
The Chairman of The Watermill Theatre Board, Richard Price said "I know Hedda will bring creative vision to her new role as Artistic and Executive Director. She has shown us that she understands the work of our great little theatre, which is so important to our local audiences and to those beyond Berkshire. Our theatre is in very good hands and the Board and I wish her well for the future."
Hedda Beeby said "I am truly delighted to be given this extraordinary opportunity. I was a friend and enormous admirer of Jill Fraser and it is an honour to be able to continue the aims and ethos she created – encouraging and promoting new talent, forging strong links with our community and aiming for the highest possible standard in all that we do. The Watermill Theatre is quite unique and over the years has become a powerhouse in British theatre, creating work that has been recognised around the world. Together with The Watermill team, I look forward to continuing that success."
Hedda, 46, has worked in theatre for over 20 years and was for 12 yrs joint Director of the Oxford Playhouse. More recently she has been working in the West End for the Ambassadors Theatre Group, one of Britain’s largest theatre owners and producers, and for Eric Abraham’s Portobello Productions where she has been particularly involved with developing theatre work for an international audience.
Hedda will begin work on programming the 2007/2008 season next month and will work closely with the current Interim Executive Director James Sargant from September 2007 – March 2008.