The London Library is delighted to announce that celebrated theatre and film director Josie Rourke has been appointed as one of the Library’s Vice-Presidents.
Josie has been a London Library member since 2001, joining at the beginning of a theatre career which has encompassed central roles at the Royal Court and the Bush Theatre and a 20-year association with the Donmar Warehouse. She was appointed Artistic Director of the Donmar in 2011, becoming the first woman to hold the role and the first female Artistic Director of a major London theatre. Her first film, Mary Queen of Scots, starring Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie, was released in 2018 and it has recently been announced that her Olivier award-winning Donmar production of City of Angels will transfer to the Garrick Theatre in March 2020.
As a Vice-President at The London Library Josie will have a particular focus on developing the Library’s support for emerging playwrights as part of its wider Emerging Writers Program.
Josie commented “When I first moved to London, with the hope of working in theatre, The London Library was a place that made me feel part of the city and its literary traditions. It was a resource, a haven and a joy, and I am proud to become associated with an institution with an exceptional connection to the world of theatre, and many leading playwrights. Becoming established as a writer is a huge challenge, and those embarking on a writing career need all the support they can get. I am excited to be helping The London Library in its work to encourage and nurture future playwriting talent from all backgrounds.”
Josie joins fellow Vice-Presidents Tom Stoppard, Alexandra Shulman, Paul Boateng, Jeremy Paxman, Nicholas Barker, Antonia Fraser, Caroline Michel and the Duke of Devonshire.
Sir Howard Davies, Chairman of The London Library commented, “We are delighted that Josie will be joining us as Vice President at The London Library, bringing her unique mix of drive, energy and artistic creativity to an organisation that occupies a very special place in the UK’s cultural life”.
