Award-winning theatre company Tamasha has appointed Fin Kennedy as its new artistic director.
Kennedy, who has been a Tamasha Associate Artist since 2011, is an award-winning playwright and arts commentator. His plays have been produced at Sheffield Crucible (How To Disappear Completely And Never Be Found), Soho Theatre (Protection) and Southwark Playhouse (Unstated) as well as other venues, the radio and on tour.
In Battalions is an independent report authored by Kennedy looking at funding cuts on new plays and playwriting (hear him talk about this in May 2013 on a BTG podcast), and he has also originated a writer-education partnership programme with London schools.
Tamasha co-founder and co-Artistic Director Sudha Bhuchar said of Kennedy, “Fin embodies a truly pioneering outlook, which has been Tamasha’s hallmark over the last 24 years. He possesses an inspiring combination of talent, drive and humility.
"His career to date demonstrates a unique ability to look beyond his own voice; and inspire artists from diverse backgrounds. I am hugely excited by Fin’s vision for Tamasha’s next chapter.”
Over 23 years, the company, which is now based in the east London area of Bethnal Green, has developed an intra-cultural practice investing in training and new writing with an Asian voice.
Kennedy says of this, “it has consistently led the debate about identity, culture, how we make theatre in the modern world—and who gets to make it. These are issues very close to my heart and have always featured in my work."
Fin Kennedy starts in his new role next month, initially collaborating with co-founder Sudha Bhuchar as co-Artistic Director.
Fin Kennedy's web site is finkennedy.co.uk. For further information about the company, visit the Tamasha web site.