Hampstead Theatre has announced that acclaimed playwright Simon Stephens will take over as Programme Director of its Inspire playwriting programme.
The Tony and Olivier Award-winning writer succeeds Roy Williams, who co-founded the initiative in 2017 and has led it since its inception.
Inspire was created to support first-time playwrights of all ages and backgrounds, offering mentorship and development opportunities. Since its launch, the programme has nurtured 49 new writers, many of whom have gone on to receive full productions, commissions, and industry recognition.
Greg Ripley-Duggan, Producer and Chief Executive of Hampstead Theatre, said:
“First and foremost, we give our heartfelt thanks to Roy for his tireless commitment and his extraordinary contribution to Inspire. He leaves a legacy that will benefit the entire industry for years to come, and his work has been vital to our Downstairs programme and to our wider commitment to playwrights and to new work. And we are thrilled to welcome Simon Stephens, one of the UK’s outstanding playwrights as the new Programme Director: we are truly lucky to have been able to secure someone of his calibre to lead Inspire into its next chapter.”
Simon Stephens, whose credits include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Vanya, and Harper Regan, brings a wealth of experience to the role.
He said:
“I am honoured to be continuing the work the mighty Roy Williams has been doing with the Inspire programme. The programme is a unique space for new work at the heart of Hampstead Theatre, one of the most important theatres for new plays in the world. There has never been a more urgent time for new dramatists, storytellers who can use the stage to make sense of a world in flux. The idea of working with a new generation of playwrights as they embark on the start of their work of telling those stories galvanises me. I can’t wait to start.”
Roy Williams reflected on his time leading the programme:
“For years, I have been telling the writers who have taken part in Inspire they couldn’t have picked a worse time to be a playwright – but they should never give up. Storytellers will always be needed. This is the reason why Inspire was set up in the first place, to give playwrights a home, to inspire them to write plays and to not give up. It is hard to express what an honour it has been to lead it – it’s been some of the most creative, productive and of course inspiring times of my career.”
Simon Stephens is one of the UK’s most prolific playwrights. His previous work at Hampstead Theatre includes Song From Far Away and The Trial of Ubu. His other acclaimed plays include Punk Rock, Birdland, and Sea Wall.
He has also held artistic and academic roles at the Lyric Hammersmith, Royal Court, Manchester Metropolitan University, and the Danish National School of the Performing Arts in Copenhagen.
Inspire is generously supported by the Fenton Arts Trust, Zmira & Rodney Hornstein, The Klein Family Foundation, and Anatol Orient.
More information can be found here.
