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Dame Darcey Bussell has been announced as the new Chairman of the Board of Theater Royal Plymouth (TRP). The former Strictly Come Dancing judge praised the "excellence" of the venue, saying she fully supported the "bold and ambitious" plans for the future. Her appointment, effective April 1, was announced to coincide with International Women's Day on March 8.
Dame Darcey will replace Nick Buckland, who is retiring from the TRP board after 13 years.
She will become the first female Chairman of TRP's Royal Plymouth Board and will join 12 other women serving on the theater's Board.
"I have known the Theater Royal and its excellence as a regional theater for a long time, having first danced on the magnificent Lyric stage over 30 years ago," said Dame Darcey.
“It has been a pleasure getting to know the entire TRP team over the last few months as my husband and I set up a new base in Plymouth and I would like to thank our outgoing Chairman Nick Buckland for his support and going out of his way to help with a smooth transition.
He also praised the "exceptional leadership" of TRP's managing director and executive producer, James Mackenzie-Blackman.
“Under James' exceptional leadership, TRP is on a bold and ambitious path to consolidate its position as one of the nation's leading theaters with the growth of local productions, a path I fully support,” he said.
TRP is the beating heart of Plymouth, a city with a very promising future and I am delighted to play my role.
“Along with the other members of our truly inspiring Board of Directors, I look forward to helping make this vision a reality for years to come.
"TRP is the beating heart of Plymouth, a city with a very bright future and I am delighted to play my part."
Mackenzie-Blackman said that Dame Darcey was "a true embodiment of TRP's values" and that her "extensive artistic experience" and "global reputation" would help bring the theater's vision to life.
Buckland added: “I leave the dream role of Chairman of the TRP Trustees with mixed emotions – great joy that Darcey has agreed to take the reins and that James and his team are taking theater to a new level, but sadness that they don't. be a direct part of the exciting future.
“Under new management, the theater is well placed to continue to play its important role in the life of Plymouth and the region, while being a hub of creative talent recognized around the world.
"I know I will continue to enjoy the wonderful productions that grace the TRP stages and I look forward to experiencing great theater in all its forms."
In 2022, TRP entered a period of creative and organizational development, announcing nine new directors in December 2022.
The appointment of Dame Darcey concludes this part of the development of the Board.
TRP also recently announced five new creative roles; associate director, children, youth and family; associate director, dance; associate director, theater; change artist, diversity and inclusion, and change artist, climate emergency.
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