Matthew Warchus has been in the role since 2015.
The Old Vic Theatre has confirmed that Matthew Warchus will be stepping down from the role of Artistic Director of the theatre in September 2026 having been in the position for 11 years.
During his time as Artistic Director, Warchus’s tenure at the theatre has seen 25 world premieres taking place, West End and Broadway transfers, national and international tours, and numerous award nominations.
Among the work to have been produced during his 10 seasons includes the annual production of A Christmas Carol, scripted by Jack Thorne and has helped to raise over £1.6 million for food bank and homeless charities. His production of the musical Groundhog Day (based on the film) is another highlight – which has had two record-breaking runs at the Old Vic and received acclaim on Broadway and in Melbourne, winning multiple awards. Productions of King Lear starring Glenda Jackson and the Girl From the North Country based on the music of Bob Dylan also ran at the theatre.
Talking about his time at the theatre, Matthew Warchus said: “My aim has been to deliver ‘entertainment with a purpose’… a varied programme of work with always something important to say but which doesn’t feel like medicine… and I’m proud of the many fun, uplifting and inspiring productions we have presented throughout my tenure. The greatest joy and privilege, however, is in the huge number of first-time theatregoers we continue to welcome through our doors. This quintessential playhouse with an exhilarating spirit of adventure, the Old Vic really is the perfect place to experience theatre for the first time.”