Mike Griffiths joins Lyceum
Takes up post from May
Mike Griffiths is to join the Lyceum Theatre as co-chief executive director alongside artistic director David Grieg, following the departure of Alex McGowan to the Glasgow Citizens earlier this year.
Griffiths is currently interim chief executive at Horsecross Arts in Perth, a post which he took up in 2018 after a period as interim CEO at Eden Court in Inverness. He will be joining the Lyceum on a part time basis from May 1 before going full time from July 1 2019.
Mike Griffiths
Mike Griffiths is a familiar face in Scottish theatre. Over at 30 year career in arts administration he has worked with organisations including the Glasgow Citizens, Scottish Opera, Northern Stage, and the Almeida Theatre.
He was with the Traverse for 16 years, including eight years from 2001 to 2009 as administrative director, and has been an active board member of Leith Theatre Trust for the last four years, acting as executive producer in last Autumn’s The Last Days of Mankind.
David Greig, the Lyceum’s artistic director and co-chief executive, expressed his delight that Mike Griffith will be joining the company.
“I worked with Mike during his time at the Traverse when he was at the centre of a drive to take Scottish plays out into the world,” he said. “Since then Mike has built up deep experience of touring and producing in Scotland, and internationally.
grass roots
“He’s worked at the top level with the Scottish Government and he’s also supported grass roots Scottish theatre companies and projects like Leith Theatre. Mike knows Edinburgh and its audiences inside out and he cares deeply about the city and its place in the world.
“Above all, however, Mike loves theatre and the people who make it. I know he’ll bring enthusiasm, ambition, experience and warmth to the role.”
Martyn Jacques of The Tiger Lillies with Danielle Farrow, Alina Tinnefeld, and Sophia McLean in The Last Days of Mankind Leith Theatre. Mike Griffiths was Leith Theatre’s executive producer for the project. Pic Chris Scott
Expressing his own delight in joining the Lyceum, Mike Griffiths gave a hint at the areas that he will be particularly interested in exploring and expanding.
He said: “The Company is creating and delivering such an exciting and varied programme of high quality work and I’m looking forward to working with David to excite theatre goers in Edinburgh and beyond, and to continue to encourage a broad range of new audiences to see our shows and get involved in our participatory events and projects.”
Shonaig Macpherson, chair of the Lyceum’s board spoke of the experience Griffiths will bring to the company.
She said: “His expertise will be instrumental in contributing to making David Greig’s artistic vision for the Company a reality, building on recent successes and delivering new opportunities for us. The Board and I look forward to welcoming him.”
The Lyceum is expected to announce its 2019/2020 season in mid May, including confirmation of dates for the previously announced Malthouse Australia co-production of Solaris and the Blood of the Young co-production of Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of).
ENDS
