Brining gets Lyceum AD post
James Brining takes over from David Greig
James Brining, who is currently Artistic Director at the Leeds Playhouse, has been appointed as the successor to David Greig at the Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh. He will take up the role of Artistic Director and co-CEO in April 2025.
He will be working with Mike Griffiths who is staying in post as Chief Executive. David Greig announced in July this year that he would be stepping away from the AD role at the end of his contractual tenure after eight years in post.
Brining, who was born in Leeds, returned there in 2012 to take up the post of AD and CEO at the then West Yorkshire Playhouse. From 2003 he was Artistic Director and CEO at Dundee Rep, initially with Dominic Hill, having moved to Scotland in 1997 to take up the role of AD at TAG, which was at the time Scotland’s national touring company making work for and with children and young people.
James Brining. Pic: Anthony Robling
Brining, who has a deep as well as a long association with Scottish theatre, said: “Anyone who knows me, is well aware of how much Scotland means to me and my family and we’re excited about coming home. I’ve seen some incredible work at The Lyceum over the last 30 years and it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to lead such an important Scottish and UK theatre in its next chapter.”
Beside his roles as artistic director, he was on the Board and subsequently Chair of the Federation of Scottish Theatre for over 10 years and served on the working parties which led to the creation of Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland and the National Theatre of Scotland.
Brining’s work as an AD has been both award-winning and nurturing. At TAG he commissioned the likes of Edwin Morgan, David Greig and Stephen Greenhorn. At Dundee Rep he commissioned Greenhorn, again, to write the book for Sunshine on Leith, and was nominated four times for the CATS for his work as a director. Indeed both his Sunshine on Leith (2007) and his Sweeney Todd (2010) won the UK Theatre Best Musical Award.
egalitarian theatre
Brining’s work in Leeds has been equally sparkling, while he has overseen momentous changes for the theatre itself.
There was a re-brand from the “West Yorkshire Playhouse” in 2018 combined with a £15.8m redevelopment for the theatre with a new entrance, configuration of the existing theatres to add more seats and the addition of a studio theatre.
At the time he told North West End Theatre that the venue should feel “like the crossroads of the city”
He said: “I want this theatre to feel that the millionaires who live in North Leeds want to come here but equally people from the Seacroft council estate, who have a fraction of that, they should feel equally valued and welcome.”
This attitude to an egalitarian theatre chimes with David Greig’s tenure, when he has aimed to make the Lyceum open to all in Edinburgh and put the theatre’s mission to widen access firmly at the heart of its work.
Jason Manford and dance troupe in the 2016 UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang directed by James Brining. Photo: Music & Lyrics
During Brining’s tenure at Leeds he commissioned and produced 65 new plays as well as directing a range of shows himself. These included A Little Night Music, My Fair Lady and Into the Woods (all co-produced with Opera North); UK tours of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Æ review: ★★★★☆ Scrumptious, truly) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical (Æ review: ★★★☆☆ Visually impressive)
It is not all musicals. He has also directed new and classic plays including Simon Armitage’s The Bodyguard, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible and Zinnie Harris’s (the fall of) The Master Builder. During his tenure, the Playhouse has created many partnerships with established companies and bodies as well as project-focussed partnerships.
Speaking of his new role, Brining said: “I’m looking forward to building on existing relationships and forging new ones with a range of artists and partners and whilst I’m aware of the current challenges the sector is facing, I’m hugely optimistic about the opportunities to create fantastic and meaningful work in this beautiful and iconic space and beyond.”
returning to a place I love
Looking back on his time in Leeds, he added: “It’s been a huge honour to have been a custodian of Leeds Playhouse, rooted in the city and the region I was brought up in and care about deeply.
“The theatre has a national and international reputation not only for producing impactful and incredible productions but equally for many pioneering initiatives, including becoming the world’s first ever Theatre of Sanctuary, and for seminal work in developing relaxed and dementia friendly performances.
“I’m very proud of all that’s been achieved but I am ready for a new challenge, and I’m thrilled to be returning to a place I love.”
Tyler Collins and Ensemble in the 2018 tour of Sunshine on Leith. Pic Manuel Harlan
Tari Lang, Chair of the Lyceum’s board, added: “Throughout a rigorous recruitment process James shone with his wealth of experience both artistically and as a seasoned CEO. His passion for theatre, his love of Edinburgh and The Lyceum was powerful, as was his strategic vision for the Lyceum’s next phase.”
Outgoing artistic director David Greig said: “I’m delighted that James will be the next Artist Director of The Lyceum. As someone who cares deeply about The Lyceum I feel excitement and optimism with this appointment. James has the skills, experience and boldness we need.
“These are tough times in Scottish theatre, but James is the person to lead the Lyceum through the challenges. I can’t wait to see what his plans are. I look forward to supporting him and the Lyceum as an audience member, an artist and a Lyceum fan for the years ahead.”
ENDS
