Farr Named Artistic Dir. of Lyric Hammersmith

David Farr will be the new artistic director of London's Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, beginning in June. He succeeds Neil Bartlett, who will step down at the end of October.

"The Lyric Hammersmith has long been one of my favorite theaters, a stage on which I have seen work as wide-ranging and ground-breaking as anywhere in the country," Farr said in a statement. "I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to take the Lyric on the next leg of its theatrical adventure. I want to bring to the Lyric's diverse and dynamic audience a body of work that celebrates all the magical possibilities of the live theater experience."

Farr is currently co-artistic director of the Bristol Old Vic with Simon Reade. The pair is widely credited with re-establishing the Bristol Old Vic as one of Britain's leading theaters. His work at the Bristol Old Vic includes mountings of Paradise Lost, Comedy of Errors and A Midsummer Night's Dream for which he won a TMA Award for Best Director. His new production of Twelfth Night opens at the venue on October 26. Prior to his arrival in Bristol, Farr was artistic director of the Gate Theatre in London from 1995-1998. He has also directed for the Young Vic, Almeida Opera, National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company.

Until Farr assumes his responsibilities at the Lyric Hammersmith, he will remain at the Bristol Old Vic, directing productions and leading the company with Administrative Director Rebecca Morland and Reade. Once he departs, Reade will remain on as sole artistic director of the Bristol Old Vic.