English Touring Theatre has taken the unusual step of appointing a producer as its director and chief executive. Rachel Tackley, who takes over from current director Steve Unwin when he leaves in spring 2008, is currently the creative producer for ETT. The decision to appoint Tackley means that ETT will be the first touring company in the UK to be led by a producer.
Nic Lloyd, chairman of the English Touring Theatre Board said: “Her passion and vision will drive an original and imaginative programme, by finding new ways of working with some of the country’s leading directors, actors and writers.”
Tackley has also worked for the Ambassador Theatre Group since 2002, initially as head of programming and then as chief executive of Milton Keynes Theatre. Prior to that she produced for Shared Experience in the UK and around the world.
Speaking about her new role, she said: “I want to make the company a home for some of the country’s leading theatrical figures and create a range of exciting and ambitious productions to tour to audiences throughout Britain and abroad.”
Most recently, ETT’s work has been seen in London at Soho, with its production of Somebody Else’s Shoes, a comedy about art and materialism. Other London productions include The York Realist at the Royal Court, which transferred to the Strand, Honeymoon Suite, also at the Royal Court, and Jonathan Harvey's Rupert Street Lonely Hearts Club at the Donmar Warehouse.
JFC