New Director at the Byre Theatre

The University of St Andrews has appointed Jessica Richards and Kally Lloyd-Jones as Director of the Byre Theatre.

The appointment, on a job share basis, is to lead the Theatre in its next phase of development after the successful tenure of Liam Sinclair, who left in December 2018 to take up a post at Dundee Repertory Theatre.

Jessica Richards (left) is currently Company Manager of the National Theatre of Scotland, a post she has held since its inaugural production in 2006.

She has had substantial experience as a stage manager with theatre companies including Communicado, Dundee Rep, 7:84, Stellar Quines, the Royal Lyceum and the Traverse Theatre.

Kally Lloyd-Jones (above left) comes to St Andrews from founding Company Chordelia of which she is Artistic Director. She has worked extensively as a director for Scottish Opera, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Edinburgh Grand Opera. She is currently Chair of the Board of the Work Room at Tramway.

Welcoming the appointment University Assistant Vice-Principal Collections, Dr Katie Stevenson said: “The University is delighted to have Jess and Kally as custodians of the Byre, sustaining its vitality through its next phase of development.

“While individually they are both outstanding leaders in the sector, together they offer the Byre, the University and the communities the Theatre serves an outstanding range of expertise and are well placed to grow and enhance the Byre and to continue its positive trajectory since the University took over its management in 2014.”

In a joint statement Jess and Kally said: “We are delighted to be taking up this role together at the Byre. This is an exciting time for this uniquely placed multi-arts venue and we are thrilled at the prospect of the opportunities and collaborations which being part of the University of St Andrews offers.”

The Byre Theatre delivers a varied and attractive programme of events incorporating professional, student and amateur performance across a wide range of art forms, including theatre, opera, music, dance and film.

The new Director will build on the intensity and diversity of the Byre’s programme, develop the Byre as a centre of artistic excellence, and harness the enhanced opportunities that being a University theatre can bring, such as developing new writing, supporting student work, and developing interdisciplinary projects based on the teaching and research interests of the University.