The artistic driving force behind a leading North-East stage group is leaving as the company prepares to move into a new £8m theatre development.

Alan Lyddiard is stepping down as chief executive of Newcastle-based Northern Stage to concentrate on his international work as a theatre director.

Over the past decade, he has established it as a top touring theatre company, with productions such as Animal Farm and A Clockwork Orange. He has also forged many international partnerships.

Mr Lyddiard is currently directing a production of Wings Of Desire, in Copenhagen.

His opera project Blaze!, with young people from Tees Valley and singer Suzannah Clarke, was presented at the Darlington Railway Museum last summer.

He leaves as Northern Stage awaits its return to the redeveloped Newcastle Playhouse next year. This will deliver his vision for a new theatre and home for international theatre in the North-East.

"It has been a rewarding time in Newcastle, but the time is right for me to move on and to concentrate on my artistic work," he said.

Chairman of Northern Stage Mike Worthington said that Mr Lyddiard's contribution to the arts in the city had been immense.

Mr Lyddiard is stepping down as chief executive immediately, but will stay on until October to direct 1001 Nights Now, the company's joint project with Nottingham Playhouse.

Published: 01/02/2005