The British theatre manager, Mr Richard Wakely, has been appointed to the newly-created senior executive position of managing director at the Abbey and Peacock theatres. This is the most significant change in decades in the management structures of the theatres.
Mr Wakely will have responsibility for the promotion and development of the theatres, all areas of marketing and PR, sponsorship, international fund-raising and the managing of international tours.
The artistic director, Mr Patrick Mason, will, however, still take precedence over him on the three-man management team, which also includes the general manager, Mr Martin Fahy. Demand for the managing director's position has been voiced both in and outside the theatres for some time, but the impetus for the change in the management structure came from the recommendations of a strongly-worded external report which was completed last year by British theatre manager Mr David Brierley. The proposal to create the new position was passed in November at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders.
Mr Wakely, who will take up his position in September, was brought up in Belfast and gained his degree at Queen's. He is currently employed as general manager of Hampstead Theatre, London. In recent years the Hampstead has staged a number of Irish plays, including Brian Friel's Give Me Your Answer Do! and Frank McGuinness's Someone Who'll Watch Over Me.
This year, Mr Wakely's application for a UK Lottery grant of almost £1 million towards the design of a new auditorium for the Hampstead was approved.