Michael Longhurst

Michael Longhurst (born 1981)[1] was artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse theatre in Covent Garden, London (2019-2024). He was appointed as its fourth artistic director, succeeding Josie Rourke in the role.

Longhurst grew up in Bromley, London.[2] After studying philosophy at the University of Nottingham, Longhurst trained in theatre directing at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts,[3] graduating with a postgraduate diploma in 2004.[4]

Longhurst's first season at the Donmar started on 20 June 2019 with David Greig’s Europe,[1] followed by the UK premiere of Appropriate by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.[5][6]

His previous credits as director include Constellations[6] at the Royal Court Theatre in 2012[7] and at Trafalgar Studios in 2015,[8] Carmen Disruption at the Almeida Theatre in 2015,[9] Gloria at the Hampstead Theatre in 2017[10] and, from October 2016 to March 2017 and from February to 24 April 2018, Amadeus at the National Theatre, a production which Michael Billington, in a four-starred review for The Guardian, described as "stunning".[11][12] In August 2019, his critically acclaimed production of Florian Zeller's The Son[13] transferred from a successful run at the Kiln Theatre to a West End run at The Duke of York's Theatre.[14]

Longhurst lives with his partner Des Kennedy.[2]

References

1. Dowd, Vincent (30 June 2019). "Donmar chief Michael Longhurst begins tenure with play about Europe". BBC News. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
2. Mountford, Fiona (2 April 2019). "Michael Longhurst interview: 'The Donmar Warehouse can take some disruption right now'". Evening Standard. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
3. Wiegand, Chris; Billington, Michael (7 June 2018). "Donmar Warehouse names Michael Longhurst as new artistic director". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
4. "Mountview graduate appointed artistic director of Donmar Warehouse". Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
5. Johnson, Robin (2 April 2019). "Michael Longhurst announces first Donmar Warehouse season". OfficialLondonTheatre.com. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
6. "Michael Longhurst takes centre stage at the Donmar". Barclays. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
7. Walker, Tim (2 February 2012). "Constellations, at Royal Court, Seven magazine review". The Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
8. Mayo, Douglas (15 July 2015). "REVIEW: Constellations, Trafalgar Studios". BritishTheatre.com. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
9. Collins, Stephen (22 April 2015). "REVIEW: Carmen Disruption, Almeida Theatre". BritishTheatre.com. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
10. Ludman, Mark (26 July 2017). "REVIEW: Gloria, Hampstead Theatre". BritishTheatre.com. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
11. Billington, Michael (27 October 2016). "Amadeus review – stunning production pits Salieri against God, Mozart and his own orchestra". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
12. "Amadeus". Royal National Theatre. 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
13. Billington, Michael (27 February 2019). "The Son review – Florian Zeller's frightening tale of teen depression". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
14. Mayo, Douglas (8 May 2019). "Florian Zeller's The Son transfers to Duke Of York's Theatre London". BritishTheatre.com. Retrieved 25 July 2020.