Tamara Harvey: A man told me I could not have children and run the RSC as well
Royal Shakespeare Company co-artistic director Tamara Harvey has revealed how she was told she would not be able to do the job while having children by a man who was "very connected with the theatre" just before she started officially in the role.
Harvey, who shares the position with Daniel Evans, took up the post in June 2023.
She made the revelation in a new podcast from Stage Directors UK, hosted and produced by The Stage’s Scotland correspondent Fergus Morgan.
"I sat down for a press night when we had just been appointed, before we started properly, and was chatting to someone who was very connected with the theatre and I mentioned my kid. And he said: ‘Oh, you can’t do this job and have children,’” Harvey said.
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Harvey added: "And I thought: ‘Well, firstly, that is an issue as I have got children and I have got the job so that is going to be awkward’. And secondly, many [RSC artistic directors] have [had children] before me. So isn’t it fascinating you’re saying that to me? Because actually Peter Hall had children, Terry Hands had children, Trevor Nunn had children, Adrian Noble had children, Michael Boyd had children. So, what is it specifically about me that makes you think I can’t do this job and have children?"
Harvey appeared on the podcast alongside Tron artistic director Jemima Levick, to discuss taking over in roles at existing organisations.
Harvey described moving her family from Wales, where she was previously artistic director of Theatr Clwyd, as "really tough".
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