Hampstead Theatre director Roxana Silbert leaves after grant cut

The annual £766,455 loss means the Eton Avenue theatre has to "change direction" and can no longer continue to solely champion new writing.

Silbert joined Hampstead in spring 2019 and steered it through months of closure and reduced capacity during the Covid pandemic.

Founded by James Roose-Evans in 1959, it has built an international reputation for commissioning and developing new plays by the likes of Mike Leigh, Michael Frayn, David Hare, Abi Morgan and Harold Pinter.

Hampstead Theatre in Eton Avenue had its entire Arts Council funding cut last month (Image: Courtesy of Hampstead Theatre)

Executive Producer, Greg Ripley-Duggan, will manage the transition to a new model amid controversial cuts which have seen Government funds directed away from the capital towards 'levelling up' areas.

Silbert gave "heartfelt" thanks to the staff, freelancers, writers and artists for their "wonderful contributions" and said the theatre's audiences "have made everything worthwhile".

“Due to financial constraints and after thorough reflection, it feels appropriate for me to resign my post at Hampstead Theatre," she said.

"This has not been an easy decision. Hampstead will have to recalibrate and change in order to go forward and I wish it every success."

Hampstead Theatre chair Irene Dorner, said: "Obviously, we have all been devastated by the cut to Hampstead’s grant, and we will all be very sad to see Roxana go. She has been an inspirational leader for Hampstead and has directed some wonderful productions on both our stages. As part of our new strategy, we trust that she will often be able to return to Hampstead as a visiting director.”