USTINOV STUDIO, THEATRE ROYAL BATH ARTISTIC DIRECTOR CANDIDATE BRIEFING DOCUMENT 1. BACKGROUND Built in 1805, the Theatre Royal Bath is one of the oldest and most beautiful theatres in the country. Home to an exquisite main auditorium (800 seats); the state-of-the-art Ustinov Studio (125 seats); and the much-acclaimed egg theatre (125 seats) for children and their families, the Theatre Royal Bath presents a year-round programme. The Main House presents many productions prior to, or post West End, including drama, comedy, opera and dance, frequent Sunday concerts and a traditional Christmas pantomime. Since 2011, the Ustinov Studio has presented highly acclaimed programmes of world and UK premieres, alongside the best in small-scale touring theatre, comedy, music and dance. Since opening in 2005, the egg theatre has provided a unique venue for young audiences and become a nationally recognised hub for exceptional outreach work with young people, community groups, schools, universities and colleges across the country. Theatre Royal Bath Productions is the Theatre Royal’s production arm, and one of the most prolific British theatre producers in the West End, on UK tour and internationally. We have produced over 200 plays and productions since our inception, including more than 40 West End transfers. Theatre Royal Bath Productions produces on average 4 productions a year plus 6 as part of Jonathan Church’s Summer Season. Recent West End transfers include Mrs Henderson Presents (Noël Coward Theatre); The Libertine by Stephen Jeffreys (Theatre Royal Haymarket); Hobson’s Choice by Harold Brighouse (Vaudeville Theatre); Stepping Out by Richard Harris (Vaudeville Theatre); Switzerland by Joanna Murray-Smith (Ambassadors Theatre); and The Price by Arthur Miller (Wyndham’s Theatre). Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward will play the Duke of York’s Theatre from March 2020. 2. USTINOV STUDIO The Ustinov Studio creates work that is new to British audiences and which to date has had an emphasis on international repertoire. Many of our productions have gone on to enjoy great success across the UK, off West End and in the West End. West End transfers include The Father by Florian Zeller (Wyndham’s Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre); Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon (The Arts Theatre and Theatre Royal Haymarket); and The Mentor by Florian Zeller (Vaudeville Theatre). Under the artistic direction of Laurence Boswell, the last eight years have seen 15 varied seasons of work, a total of 38 different productions, 1398 performances and 96,351 audience members taking their seats in the Ustinov Studio. Directors who have worked there during this time include, Laurence Boswell (Artistic Director 2011 – 2019), James MacDonald, Nancy Meckler, Trevor Nunn and Michael Boyd. Actors include, F Murray Abraham, Diana Quick, Kenneth Cranham, Claire Skinner, Joseph Marcell, Gina McKee, Alun Armstrong, Tanya Moodie, Patrick Baladi, Niamh Cusack, and Greg Hicks. “The Ustinov Studio has shown a remarkable knack for unearthing European talent” - Daily Telegraph “An international dramatic hub… It has produced some of the most outstanding plays of the past five years” - The Observer “Laurence Boswell is doing remarkable things with unusual plays” - Daily Telegraph “The Ustinov is a thrilling dramatic springboard” - Mail on Sunday For more information, please visit www.theatreroyal.org.uk 3. THE ROLE The Artistic Director of the Ustinov Studio is a part-time, fully flexible, freelance position with responsibility for programming four in-house productions a year - a Spring and Autumn Season. Two of the productions are likely to be directed by the Artistic Director, with the other two productions delivered by visiting directors chosen by the Artistic Director. The postholder will report to and work very closely with the Director of Theatre Royal Bath who is also the Managing Director of Theatre Royal Bath Productions. As in the past, it is hoped that a number of the in-house Ustinov Studio productions each year will have a life beyond Bath, either via co-production with other small-scale spaces, or through being remounted for the Theatre Royal Bath’s main-stage and the West End. In addition to the Ustinov Studio Administrator, the Artistic Director will have the support of the full Theatre Royal Bath/Theatre Royal Bath Productions team. This is a unique artistic position in that all operational, financial, administrative, contractual and marketing responsibilities will be managed by the highly experienced Theatre Royal Bath in- house team. The Artistic Director’s sole responsibility is to direct and curate works of exceptional artistic quality. 4. JOB DESCRIPTION The Artistic Director will have the following key responsibilities: ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP • Develop a sustainable artistic vision for the Ustinov Studio that may or may not build on its existing reputation for producing UK premieres of international work. • Supported by the Director of Theatre Royal Bath, hold responsibility for the Ustinov Studio’s artistic output of four in-house productions per year (normally split two productions in the Autumn and two in the Spring), directing two or more plays per year as appropriate. • Oversee the delivery and control of all artistic activity of in-house productions in the Ustinov Studio to the highest possible standards, including the productions not directed by the Artistic Director themselves. • Identify and engage other freelance theatre directors to direct productions that the Artistic Director is not directing themselves; provide advice and support as appropriate. • Identify and engage other creative personnel required, liaising with the Ustinov Producer as appropriate. • Work with freelance casting directors to oversee the casting of productions. • Cultivate and attract both established and emerging practitioners. • Adhere to the budgets set by the Director of Theatre Royal Bath. • Liaise with the Marketing Manager in selecting publicity images and copy for any marketing materials produced by the Theatre to publicise the Ustinov Studio’s in-house productions. STRATEGIC RELATIONS AND REPRESENTATION • Assisted by the Ustinov Studio Producer, nurture any potential co-producing partners and actively seek co-producing partners for two productions each year. • Represent the Ustinov Studio at public functions and in interviews with the media, if required to do so by the Director of Theatre Royal Bath. • Actively promote, uphold and develop the position of the Ustinov Studio as one of the country’s leading small-scale studio theatres. GENERAL • Attend one Board Meeting a year, if requested to do so by the Trustees. • At all times carry out the responsibilities of the post with due regard to all of the Theatre Royal Bath and Ustinov Studio’s policies and procedures, including but not limited to those relating to Health and Safety in the workplace, Adult Safeguarding, and confidentiality of electronic data in line with the Data Protection Act. This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time and the Artistic Director may be required to perform duties outside of this as operationally required and at the discretion of the Director of Theatre Royal Bath. 5. PERSON SPECIFICATION The Artistic Director will be a practising artist of the highest ability with a reputation for excellent, ambitious and innovative work. Our ideal candidate will be an experienced stage director, actor or playwright, with a track record of successful, critically acclaimed productions for major UK theatres. The knowledge, experience, skills and qualities required are: KNOWLEDGE Essential • Extensive knowledge of a wide range of theatrical and artistic genres • Extensive knowledge of British and international texts • Extensive knowledge of British and international theatre, including directors, actors and other creative personnel • Productive and wide-ranging contacts within the theatre sector EXPERIENCE Essential • A demonstrable record of directing productions at high-profile professional arts venues in the UK • Experience of working on stages of all sizes, including studio spaces • Experience of working within fixed budgets Desirable • Senior experience gained within a producing theatre company or venue SKILLS Essential • The ability to provide artistic and managerial leadership • The ability to inspire and motivate creative personnel • The ability to demand excellence of others • The ability to work collaboratively and form effective partnerships internally and externally • Persuasive communication skills PERSONAL QUALITIES • Creative and innovative • Able to work on own and as part of a team • Organisational flair 6. SUMMARY OF TERMS The job is offered as a freelance contract for three years, renewable by mutual consent. LOCATION It is not necessary for the successful candidate to be based in Bath and rehearsals for the shows will take place in London. It is expected that the Artistic Director will take on other freelance work outside of their responsibilities to the Ustinov Studio. REMUNERATION • A fee of £22,000 will be paid for programming the four productions for the Autumn and Spring Seasons. • An additional fee of £8,000 will be paid for each play that the Artistic Director directs. • The post is offered as a freelance, part-time role and therefore there is no paid holiday, pension, sickness benefits, etc. FUTURE EXPLOITATION In the event that any of the plays in the Ustinov Studio seasons directed or programmed and produced by the Artistic Director, is presented on