Indhu Rubasingham, first woman appointed head of the National Theater in London

Briton Indhu Rubasingham has been appointed head of the National Theater in London - the equivalent of the British Comédie-Française -, becoming the first woman and the first from an ethnic minority to direct one of the most prestigious in the theater in the United Kingdom. “It is a huge honor to be appointed director of the National Theatre,” she reacted in a press release published on Wednesday. For me, it’s the best job in the world.”

Indhu Rubasingham was born in Sheffield, northern England, to a family originally from Sri Lanka. She studied drama at the University of Hull in the north-east of England.

Indhu Rubasingham, who will take up her position in the spring, has been the artistic director of the Kiln Theater since 2012, an institution in Brent, a multicultural district in northwest London. She transformed the institution into one of the most prestigious in the capital with successful plays by contemporary authors such as the British Zadie Smith and the French Florian Zeller. She will succeed Rufus Norris, who has held this position for 8 years. Laurence Olivier and Peter Hall are among the illustrious previous directors of this publicly funded theater. She will work alongside Executive Director Kate Varah in a co-leadership capacity.

The National Theater “has played an important role in my life, from my first steps as a teenage theatergoer to my career” in this sector, explains Indhu Rubasingham in the press release. Indhu Rubasingham has previously directed plays for this theater. “Having the opportunity to play a role in its history is an incredible privilege and responsibility,” she added.