28 year-old writer and director will take up new role in January 2019

The Bush Theatre has found its new artistic director following the departure of Madani Younis, who announced in September that he was moving on to become creative director of the Southbank Centre in January 2019.

She is Lynette Linton, a 28 year-old playwright and former resident assistant director at Covent Garden's Donmar Warehouse, where she is currently directing Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer prize winning play Sweat, and associate director at Notting Hill's Gate Theatre, where she set up its Young Associate company.

Early in 2019, she will co-direct Richard II at Shakespeare's Globe. The production will mark the first ever company of women of colour in a Shakespeare play on a major UK stage.

Lynetter is also co-founder of theatre and film production company Black Apron Entertainment who are producing Passages: A Windrush Celebration with the Royal Court, a project she also curated.

Linton will work alongside Executive Director Lauren Clancy at the Bush Theatre from January and says the new role is " a great honour."

She says: " The Bush Theatre is such an important venue and I have seen some of my favourite ever plays in this building. I am so honoured to be stepping into this role after the amazing tenure of Madani Younis, who has been an inspiration to me from the beginning of my career.

" I cannot wait to lead an exciting new chapter inspired by all the wonderful artists that populate our unique city. "

Chair of the Bush Theatre Simon Johnson said: " In searching for a new artistic director for the Bush Theatre, the board of trustees looked for an individual who moved and inspired us; a leader who is willing to fight for what we stand for and who is unswerving in their commitment to nurturing new writing and new artists.

" Lynette Linton has these qualities in abundance. I can’t wait to see her build on the momentum of Madani’s tenure to continue to raise the scale, profile and impact of our remarkable theatre both artistically and socially."

Lynette's predecessor Madani Younis said: " Lynette is undoubtedly a fantastic choice for the Bush. I've admired her for a long time and it's been a pleasure to watch her grow as a director and an artist and her work shows a real commitment to the theatre’s values.

"I think she'll write an amazingn next chapter in the Bush's history."

2018 has seen the Bush Theatre celebrate a West End transfer for Arinzé Kene’s Misty,
which has now been seen by almost 30,000 people and been nominated for an Evening
Standard award for Best Musical Performance, an Olivier Award nomination for Monica
Dolan’s The B*easts and the ongoing world-wide success of its touring production of
NASSIM which opens in New York in December.

Other celebrated work includes Winsome Pinnock’s Leave Taking, Vinay Patel’s An Adventure and Ben Weatherill’s ground-breaking Jellyfish - re-affirming the theatre’s commitment to discover, nurture and produce the best new playwrights from the widest range of backgrounds.

The Bush says its 2018 programme has seen a 40% increase in attendance on the previous year, with 52% of the audience visiting the venue for the first time.

Lynette's appointment means that both top local theatres will now have women at the helm.

In Hammersmith, Rachel O’Riordan, pictured below, will become The Lyric's theatre’s new artistic director and joint chief executive from February next year.

December 6, 2018