New role for Doncaster's Cast theatre boss

Kully Thiarai is stepping down in May as artistic director of Doncaster’s Cast theatre to take on a new role as artistic director and chief eexcutive of National Theatre Wales.

Ms Thiarai is credited with helping bring 200,000 people through Cast’s doors since it opened in 2013.

She said: “I am thrilled to be joining National Theatre Wales. 

“I have enjoyed three-and-a-half extraordinary years in Doncaster setting up and launching Cast. It has been a privilege to be the founding director of a brand new performance venue in the town, and I want to extend my thanks to all those who have joined in on that journey as collaborators, audience members and supporters.

“I do believe that the foundations are well laid. Cast has successfully challenged many of the naysayers and shown that live performance along with a strong artistic vision is both welcomed by audiences and necessary for Doncaster and its future ambitions.”

Andy Carver, chair of the board of trustees at Cast, said: “Kully being offered such a hugely prestigious national role is testimony to the fantastic success, and great reputation she has achieved for Cast in just two-and-a-half years. She will be greatly missed, but the board of Cast now look forward to appointing a successor who will build on these strong foundations and cement Cast’s role as a great cultural venue at the heart of Doncaster’s community.”