Profile: A flourishing career that spans both stage and small screen

TAKING on the job of artistic director at The Royal Court is a huge responsibility, but one that Vicky Featherstone will have an intimate understanding of, having already worked as assistant director at the London theatre.

Born in Redhill in Surrey, the 45-year-old studied English and Drama at Manchester University.

Ms Featherstone has since developed a career spanning both television and theatre production. She worked as a drama executive for the BBC, Granada TV and Central TV, and created several original drama series, including Where The Heart Is and Silent Witness.

Prior to taking up the role of artistic director for National Theatre of Scotland (NTS), she held the post with new writing com-pany Paines Plough Theatre Company, Under her director-ship, it toured Britain and abroad, garnering many awards for her work as a director and a reputation for discovering and developing the best writing talent – something that she continued to do throughout her time with the NTS.

Beyond the work produced by NTS under her, critics have praised her ability to manage the politics of such a post, balancing artistic inde-pendence with its role as Scotland’s national theatre.

CRAIG BROWN