Royal Court puts itself 'in hands of playwrights' with new associates

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Four newly appointed associate playwrights join Gillian Greer at London's Royal Court (clockwise from left): Ryan Calais Cameron, Mike Bartlett, Vinay Patel and Nina Segal

Royal Court boss David Byrne has appointed four associate playwrights – including Ryan Calais Cameron and Mike Bartlett – in a move that will mean they become part of a "collective leadership" model and develop the venue’s artistic programme.

The Royal Court said appointing the associates – who also include Vinay Patel and Nina Segal – would put the venue "in the hands of playwrights".

It follows concerns that the venue was making redundancies in the literary department, which at the time prompted the theatre insisting its "commitment to supporting writers remains at the centre of all we do".

The appointment of the associates chimes with that sentiment. All four associates join Gillian Greer, associate playwright and dramaturg, who joined the organisation earlier in this year.

In addition, a nationwide search is being undertaken by the Royal Court to find a sixth playwright to join the team.

"This team of associate playwrights puts writers at the very heart of the Royal Court. Working closely with the wider artistic leadership, they will help develop the theatre’s mission, artistic programme, support of fellow writers and see the writers’ theatre placed in the hands of playwrights," the Royal Court said.

The associate playwrights will spend one day a week at the Royal Court, "feeding into a collective approach to the leadership of the theatre", it added.

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Artistic director David Byrne said: “One of my first acts as artistic director is to bring some exceptional fellow playwrights with me into the artistic leadership behind a simple vision: the writers’ theatre run by playwrights for the benefit of writers everywhere. Even from our electric early conversations, I know that this game-changing team of associates are going to help rewrite the rules of what it means to support writers, creating the culture for a new generation of playwrights to thrive."

He added: "And we have left one chair at the table empty, to allow us to find someone new, not directly appointed by me but found through an open call. Fellow playwrights – if you want to be a part of making the Royal Court a beacon for new-writing nationally and internationally, come and join us. It is going to be the adventure of a lifetime – and it is the best distraction from your latest draft that you will ever find.”

Bartlett said: “The Royal Court Theatre staged my first professional play, and gave me the support and encouragement to become a writer. It is the most important theatre for playwrights in the world, and I cannot wait to join David, Will Young [executive director] and the other associates in helping to find and support new playwrights and new plays that will entertain, inform, shock and provoke us.”

Calais Cameron added: “Joining the Royal Court Theatre as an associate is an incredible honour and responsibility. It means I have the opportunity to contribute to a legacy of bold, thought-provoking storytelling that challenges norms and inspires change. I am excited to collaborate with such an esteemed institution that has had such a huge impact on my life as an audience member and as an artist.”

Applicants for the sixth position can be based anywhere in the country and have worked in any part of the sector, but must have experience of playwriting and a track record championing the work of fellow writers or artists. The deadline for submissions is May 27.