Rupert Goold appointed successor to Michael Attenborough as Almeida artistic director

Rupert Goold poses with his Best Director award for 'Enron

(Getty Images)

Rupert Goold has been confirmed as the new artistic director of the Almeida Theatre in Islington London.

He replaces Michael Attenborough who announced he was stepping down in September after 11 years in the role.

Goold will take up his new position in August and will continue to work as artistic director of Headlong (formerly Oxford Stage Company) until then.

Goold’s association with the Almeida began in 2008 when he directed Stephen Adly Guirgis’ The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. He is due to direct the world premiere of American Psycho at the theatre next December.

Headlong and the Almeida are also co-producing Lucy Kirkwood’s Chimerica which opens in May.

“After eight wonderful years at Headlong I'm thrilled to be joining the Almeida, with our collaborations on Chimerica and American Psycho this year it feels the perfect timing. I look forward to welcoming the best artists from here and abroad to make work in this magical theatre and building on its international reputation for theatre of risk and vision.”

Attenborough said: "I am truly thrilled to be passing the theatre on to, not only a bold and brilliant director, but someone who takes equal delight in the promotion of other artists and the same ambitious, progressive programming for which the Almeida has always been known."

Goold was associate director at the Royal Shakespeare Company from 2009- to 2012. Previously he was artistic director of Northampton Theatres (2002 – 2005) and he has twice been the recipient of the Laurence Olivier, Critics’ Circle and Evening Standard awards for Best Director.