David Lan stepping down as artistic director of Young Vic

Young Vic artistic director David Lan is stepping down after 17 years.

David, 65, said: “There is never an easy time to slip away but I wanted to leave at a time of our greatest strength and success.

“The Young Vic is now admired and emulated internationally as well as loved by our audience in our local communities of Lambeth and Southwark, in London and across the UK.

“It’s the right moment for it to set off on a new journey and a new adventure.”

South African-born David will continue as artistic director and chief executive until a new boss is appointed towards the end of the year, and will continue to take responsibility for the 2017/18 season, his last at the Young Vic.

David was appointed in 2000 and spearheaded the 2006 redevelopment of the building.

His productions have included A View From The Bridge and Yerma, starring Billie Piper.

In 2014 he was awarded a CBE for services to theatre.

Young Vic board chairman Patrick McKenna said: “David has made such a big contribution to the Young Vic success story that it’s hard to do justice to his transformative leadership. The fact that the Young Vic is currently one of the most successful independent producing theatres in the world is significantly down to David’s ability to attract the very best talent in world theatre to work here.”