Madani Younis will step down as Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the Bush Theatre in January 2019.
Madani became Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre in 2012, and has overseen a significant period of growth for the venue, including the successful redevelopment of the theatre’s home.
Highlights of his reign have seen him triple the audience capacity of the Bush Theatre, welcome a greater diversity of both creative talent and audiences, and a final 2018 season which has included Monica Dolan’s Olivier Award nominated The B*easts and Arinzé Kene’s critical and popular hit Misty, which transfers to Trafalgar Studios this month.
Madani directs his final play for the Bush this month, Vinay Patel’s An Adventure. From January 2019, he will become Creative Director of the Southbank Centre. Associate Director Omar Elerian will also depart following his production of Going Through in spring 2019.
Lauren Clancy and Madani Younis outside the Bush Theatre (Photo: Bronwen Sharp)
He said of the announcement: “My time at the Bush Theatre is undoubtedly one of my proudest achievements to date. The Bush invested in a vision that celebrated not just the best of theatre but the best of our country’s inherent culture. The result was a more reflective community of artists and a breadth of new audiences that represent the diversity of the city around us. None of what we’ve achieved would have happened without the deep, thoughtful commitment of so many.”
Lauren Clancy, Executive Director said: “I’m thrilled that Madani has such an exciting next step in his career as Creative Director of the Southbank Centre. He leaves an impressive and inspirational legacy that has shaped the Bush Theatre and those individuals that have been lucky enough to work alongside him. I look forward to building on the Bush’s success as we write our next chapter.”