Half Moon Theatre leaders to step down

CHRIS ELWELL and JACKIE ELEY have announced they will step down as Director/CEO and Administrative Director of East London’s Half Moon Theatre at the end of January 2025.

Elwell joined the theatre in 1997 and secured core funding from Arts Council England shortly after, opening the building as a public venue in 1998.

He has directed, written and adapted over 60 pieces of work at the Half Moon, many of which have received awards, and received a British Empire Medal for services to theatre and young people in the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Eley has worked with the theatre since 2004. Her work has prioritised access, innovation and environmental sustainability and she spearheaded major capital campaigns raising almost £2m to buy and refurbish the venue.

Eley also led the launch of the Theatre Passport scheme in 2020, a free ticket initiative aimed at schools and community groups in Tower Hamlets.

“It has been an absolute honour to lead Half Moon. Leaving the theatre company after more than 20 years is a bittersweet moment filled with immense pride,” the pair said. 

“For two decades, it has been our absolute pleasure and privilege to nurture a community where young people, artists and theatre-makers can thrive through the transformative power of theatre.”

Half Moon Theatre says a recruitment campaign to find Elwell and Eley’s successors will begin soon, with appointments expected in the autumn.