Robert Hastie announced as Sheffield Theatres new artistic director

Sheffield Theatres have announced the appointment of Robert Hastie as the company’s new artistic director. 

Hastie takes up the position in July 2016, taking over from Daniel Evans who steps down as artistic director at the end of June to join Chichester Festival Theatre. This appointment sees Hastie return to Sheffield Theatres, where he began his professional theatre career as an actor in Edward Bond’s Lear in 2005.

Hastie says: "I am overjoyed to have been asked by the Board of Sheffield Theatres to be their next Artistic Director. The Crucible, the Lyceum and the Studio together constitute one of the finest theatre complexes in Britain. Their reputation has been strengthened under the inspired leadership of Daniel Evans and Dan Bates, as a destination for audiences from both near and far who come in search of brilliant theatre and have their hopes more than fulfilled.

"As a Yorkshireman, I am hugely looking forward to contributing to the cultural life of this great city. My first theatre job out of RADA was onstage at the Crucible, acting in a production of Edward Bond's Lear. It’s wonderful to be returning here as Artistic Director to lead such an exceptional team. I could not be happier or prouder."

Evans says: "I'm truly delighted the board has appointed Rob as the next artistic director of Sheffield Theatres. It’s a glorious organisation with a glorious team, and knowing that I am leaving the company in Rob's hands, means I know the company’s future at the forefront of UK theatre is assured. Sheffield has a tradition of actors turned directors at the helm – it’s a combination that I believe draws the best from people from across the company. Rob will be no exception, and I wish him every success as he begins his tenure."

Chair of the Board Lord Bob Kerslake says: "I am very happy to confirm that Rob Hastie will join Sheffield Theatres as our new Artistic Director. Rob’s talent, his passion for the organisation and his vision for the company’s work made him the perfect choice for the role. I am thrilled that he has agreed to join us as we embark on our next exciting chapter."

Hastie most recently directed the Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, the inaugural production in artistic director Tamara Harvey’s first season at Theatr Clywd. He is Associate Director of the Donmar Warehouse, where his recent work includes acclaimed productions of My Night With Reg by Kevin Elyot (also West End – Hastie was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards; and the production was nominated for Best Revival at the Olivier Awards), and Splendour, by Abi Morgan. 

Hastie recently completed the first stage of the Donmar Warehouse’s ten year long My Mark project with Michelle Terry, undertaking and filming interviews in schools nationally to document the views of those eligible to vote for the first time in the 2025 general election. He will reunite with Terry later this year, when he directs her as the title role in Henry V at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

His other directing credits include Carthage, Events While Guarding The Bofors Gun (Finborough Theatre), Sunburst (Holborn GrangeHotel), Sixty-Six Books: In The Land Of Uz, Middle Man, David and Goliath, Snow In Sheffield and A Lost Expression (Bush Theatre).

As an actor, his work included productions with the National Theatre, RSC, Chichester Festival Theatre, Glasgow Citz, Cheek by Jowl, Frantic Assembly, Northampton Royal & Derngate, Headlong, Birmingham Rep, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Lyric Hammersmith, Derby Playhouse, Playful Productions, Liverpool Playhouse, as well as Sheffield Crucible.

Photo Credit: Richard Davenport