Everyman and Playhouse announces new creative director

A new creative director has been appointed to run Liverpool’s Everyman and Playhouse theatres.

Nathan Powell succeeds Suba Das who departed suddenly last summer after just over a year in the role.

He will be tasked with delivering the organisation's artistic vision and programming and build on its artistic innovation, talent development and progressive social change.

A key responsibility will be to develop a collaborative artistic vision that puts new work and local stories at the heart of an artistic programme representing the communities served by the two venues.

Director and writer Powell has previously acted as an artistic advisor to the Everyman and Playhouse, and also directed the theatrical version of its pandemic lockdown podcast series Love, Liverpool.

He is the creative producer and associate artist for 20 Stories High, co-founder with writer Joe Ward Munrow of New Step Theatre, and current artistic director of the National Student Drama Festival.

His recent directing credits include Sucker Punch at the Queens Theatre Hornchurch in association with the National Theatre, and A Play for the Living in the Time of Extinction for Headlong and the Barbican in association with Shakespeare North.

Powell is about to direct The Mountaintop for Leicester Curve, and will also lead Alice in Wonderland at Shakespeare North Playhouse this Christmas.

He said today: “I’m honoured to join Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse as Creative Director. Liverpool is my home, and I’m passionate about showcasing its vibrant artistic community on a local and national stage.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to build on both theatres’ great legacies, and work alongside this incredible team to make them the most inviting and exciting places to experience and create theatre, for the audiences, artists and communities they serve.”

Everyman and Playhouse chief executive Mark da Vanzo added: “I’m really looking forward to Nathan joining the team full time. He brings a wealth of experience as a theatre maker, together with a passion to nurture and support new talent which aligns perfectly with our vision, mission and values.

“We’re excited to embark on a new chapter for the theatres, reaffirming our commitment to excellence and innovation in the arts, while ensuring a supportive environment for creativity to flourish on and off our stages.”

Powell is due to join the team in the summer.