ao link

Claire Walker and Hannah Essex

“Our job is to create the conditions for theatre to thrive”
Claire Walker and Hannah Essex
Claire Walker and Hannah Essex
In their first interview since taking the helm at SOLT/UK Theatre, joint chief executives Claire Walker and Hannah Essex tell Alistair Smith how they are championing the theatre sector while making the case for policy change that will help it flourish

Support The Stage by registering or subscribing

To continue reading this article you must be logged in.

Register or login below to unlock 3 free articles every month.

 

OR 

 

Or start a 13-week trial for just £13 and get unlimited access to thestage.co.uk.

Remember Login

Big Interviews

Joe Robertson and Joe Murphy
“Theatre is a collaborative art form, we just start the process a little earlier”

Joe Robertson and Joe Murphy

Simon Russell Beale
“My career looks like this marvellous plan, but it was all an accident”

Simon Russell Beale

Jamie Wilson
“We’ve had three new musicals in the West End this year – we’ve only just begun”

Jamie Wilson

Max Webster
“I’m in my power. I can now do projects I really want to do”

Max Webster

Charlie Bunker and Gabby Vautier
“Sometimes it feels as if we are on Dragons’ Den every day”

Charlie Bunker and Gabby Vautier

Elizabeth McGovern
“Doing theatre meant I could hold my own on Downton Abbey”

Elizabeth McGovern

Sutton Foster
“I know who I am, what I stand for and I look forward to bringing theatre back”

Sutton Foster

Carrie Hope Fletcher
“If our industry is worthless, turn off Netflix”

Carrie Hope Fletcher

Julian Bird
“Our place in the world is at risk. It’s as grave as that”

Julian Bird

Nancy Carroll
“As long as my body serves me, I want to use it. It’s my tool bag”

Nancy Carroll

Your subscription helps ensure our journalism can continue

Invest in The Stage today with a subscription starting at just £5.99

The Stage

© Copyright The Stage Media Company Limited 2025

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Linked In
Pinterest
YouTube