Rachel Bagshaw, incoming Artistic Director of the Unicorn Theatre, captured in the foyer. She is a wheelchair user wearing all black attire and an Apple Watch. She has pale complexion and short, blonde hair.

Photo: Annabel Moeller

Changing Faces

Bagshaw named Unicorn Theatre Artistic Director

Arts Professional
2 min read

RACHEL BAGSHAW will become Artistic Director of Unicorn Theatre in September.

She will assume the role from JUSTIN AUDIBERT, who is stepping down this summer. 

Bagshaw has been an Associate Director at Unicorn since 2018, directing both stage and digital theatre productions for young audiences. She is also a trustee of Battersea Arts Centre and Camden People’s Theatre and a Peter Hall Bursary Associate at the National Theatre. 

“Having had the privilege to have been an Associate Director here during Justin’s tenure, I cannot wait to continue bringing the brave, bold and exciting work to children and their grown-ups,” Bagshaw said. 

“The Unicorn is a vital, inspiring theatre that provides thousands of children with their first theatre experiences each year, and where I have had some of my most creative and happiest times as an artist.”

Dr VANESSA OGDEN, Chair of the theatre, said Bagshaw has played an “integral part” at Unicorn as Associate Director. 

“She is passionate about creating vital, electrifying work and challenging theatre-making for children that aligns with the best we see on the adult stage.”

“[Bagshaw] is an artist of exceptional brilliance, a human being of wisdom and compassion, and I have no doubt she will be a visionary leader,” Audibert added. 

“Rachel eats, sleeps and breathes the Unicorn’s mission of transforming young lives through theatre. Audiences are in for such a treat under her stewardship.”