Chris Lawson at the Oldham Coliseum rehearsing for Maxine Peake's Beryl, April 2022.
Changing Faces

Lawson joins Traverse Theatre

Arts Professional
2 min read

Former Oldham Coliseum Artistic Director CHRIS LAWSON has been appointed Director of Producing and Programming at Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre.

Lawson joined Oldham Coliseum from London’s Almeida Theatre as Associate Director in 2015, becoming Artistic Director in 2018.

He stepped up to Chief Executive in December 2022, shortly before the closure of Oldham Coliseum in March after the regular funding it receives from Arts Council England was cut entirely. 

At the Coliseum, Lawson directed productions such as Maxine Peake’s Beryl, Tom Wells’ A Kitchen Sink and Martin McDonagh’s A Skull in Connemara. He oversaw co-productions with various theatres including Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Hull Truck, York Theatre Royal and Salisbury Playhouse. 

In his new role, Lawson will help nurture relationships with artists, working closely with the producing and programming team to deliver on Traverse’s goals.

“Joining the team and myself, Chris will be vital in keeping the Traverse a vibrant creative hub and centre of artistic innovation for audiences and artists alike,” Traverse’s Artistic Director GARETH NICHOLLS commented. 

“It is a dream of mine to join the Traverse team and contribute to the next exciting chapter in the role of Director of Producing & Programming,” Lawson said.  

“I look forward to bringing audiences and artists together, to share ideas and stage work that inspires excites and provokes conversations about who we are now.”