New Artistic Director appointed at the Royal Lyceum

The Royal Lyceum has appointed James Brining as the new artistic director and co Chief Executive Officer to take over from David Greig in April 2025.

Mr Brining is currently in a similar role at Leeds Playhouse which he has held since 2012. There he has produced 54 new plays and overseen the £16.8 million revamp of the Playhouse.

During this time, he has directed a range of shows including A Little Night Music, My Fair Lady and Into the Woods (all co-produced with Opera North); UK tours of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical and a critically acclaimed in-the-round version of OLIVER!, playing from November 2023 – January 2024. 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.

James Brining said: “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.

“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. 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.”

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.”