The OT is delighted to congratulate our Artistic Director and Joint Chief Executive, Tom Littler on his appointment as Artistic Director and Chief Executive of The Arts Theatre Cambridge, where he will begin in June 2027.
While we are sad to see him go, this is a hugely exciting next step for Tom, and an exciting new chapter for the Orange Tree, too.
Since 2022, the Orange Tree has gone from strength to strength under Tom’s artistic leadership. In that time, the theatre has won The Stage Award for Theatre of the Year and the Critics’ Circle Peter Brook Empty Space Award, alongside two Olivier Award nominations for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre. Littler has so far directed ten acclaimed productions for the Orange Tree, winning the 2026 UK Theatre Award for Best Director (Love’s Labour’s Lost and Much Ado About Nothing) and the 2025 Off West End Best Director Award (Twelfth Night).
Over the same period, the OT has staged more than forty productions, including twenty new plays, adaptations, and translations, many of which have gone on to be seen in leading theatres across the UK. Our box office and membership numbers have both tripled. The theatre’s £4.5 million capital project has transformed our front-of-house and dressing room facilities to make the building fully accessible, and our work with local communities has reached further than ever before.
With a strong artistic programme, growing audiences, a transformed building, and a brilliant team, we are excited to welcome a new artistic leader in 2027, and build on the successes of the OT under Tom’s leadership.
Judy Gibbons, Chair of the Board, said:
“Tom has been an outstanding leader for the Orange Tree. He has brought an exceptional scale of ambition to everything we do, and the theatre has thrived both artistically and financially as a result. His productions have won awards and critical acclaim, and he has taken our work beyond our own walls, reaching new venues and new audiences. He has also played a central role in our successful capital project, securing the future of the building for generations of audiences and artists. We will miss him enormously and, on behalf of the Board and everyone at the Orange Tree, we thank him and wish him every success in this exciting next step in his career. His successor will inherit a thriving organisation, firmly established as the national theatre of South West London.”
Tom Littler said:
“I have loved my time running the Orange Tree Theatre since 2022, and I thank all the trustees, staff, supporters, artists and audiences who make every day there such a pleasure. I’ll relish my three productions there in 2027: King Lear and Richard II in spring will be my final productions as Artistic Director, and I’ll be back at Christmas helming a co-production of a soon-to-be-announced comedy. These have been five hugely rewarding years. Whoever takes over from me will enjoy one of the best jobs of London theatre.”
Tom will continue to co-lead the Orange Tree alongside Julie Weston, Joint CEO and Executive Director, until May 2027. His final season as Artistic Director will be announced in spring 2027.
Julie Weston continues in her role as Joint CEO and Executive Director, providing continuity as the Orange Tree begins its search for a new Joint CEO and Artistic Director. We look forward to sharing more about the recruitment, and about the next steps for the Orange Tree, very soon.
The whole OT team thanks Tom for his incredible work during the past five years and we look forward to an exciting final chapter of his leadership.
