At the end of Trustee Week, we caught up with our Chair, Michael Newey, as his remarkable nine year tenure comes to a close.
In his time as Chairman since 2015, there have been nearly 500 different performances at the Theatre Royal alone.
He welcomed new Chief Executive and Creative Director, Stephen Crocker and has supported Norwich Theatre’s ambition to bring the world to Norfolk and take Norfolk to the world, with particular highlights including our work with Carlos Acosta, Dance Consortium, Six: The Musical, and the Buxton International Festival.
He has been instrumental in the construction and development of our Stage Two building, providing studio space and opportunities for people to explore their own creativity. He supported the full merger with Norwich Playhouse, now a vital part of Norwich Theatre. And with Stephen he led the organisation through the COVID pandemic.
A recent commitment of Michael’s was to ensure Norwich Theatre became a Real Living Wage Employer as part of its strategic commitment to making the organisation an outstanding place to work.
In his own words: “This evening marks my final public event as Chair of Norwich Theatre having served the maximum nine years possible with great happiness. During this time we have been compelled to make great changes and I have been happy for us to make bold pledges but only ever with the goals of striving to be an organisation that leads with values above all else and I see this here this evening.
“I therefore also welcome the orchestra as part of our duty to our values and to our city and county. I feel confident that this now intrinsic commitment will only grow stronger as this organisation moves into the future and that we will never shy away from cultural defiance in the face of cultural oppression.
“I know that my successor will inherit an organisation that is fit for purpose: one with tremendous ambition; one that will continue to make a difference in people’s lives through our work; and one with amazing stakeholders, supporters and audiences. Norwich Theatre is truly an organisation of which I am exceedingly proud.”