Andy Arnold, Artistic Director of Tron Theatre, sitting on a bench inside the theatre with fairy lights against a wall/window behind him. He is a bald man wearing a black jumper and is positioned to the right in the photograph.

Photo: John Johnston

Changing Faces

Tron Theatre Artistic Director to step down

Arts Professional
2 min read

Tron Theatre’s Artistic Director ANDY ARNOLD is stepping down after 16 years at the helm. 

Announcement of his departure coincides with the release of the Scotland theatre’s Autumn-Winter programme, marking Arnold’s final season at the venue. 

Arnold joined Tron Theatre in 2008 following many years as Artistic Director of The Arches, a venue and theatre company he established in 1991. He is now directing his 40th and final production at the Tron, Nae Expectations, scheduled to start its run in October. 

Previously, Arnold directed the world premier stage production of James Joyce’s Ulysses, adapted by Dermot Bolger, which went on to tour major cities in China. Following this, he staged work in mandarin with Chinese theatre companies in Beijing and in Shanghai.

More recently he directed Gary McNair’s adaption of Ben Jonson’s The Alchemist, Martin McDonagh’s The Lonesome West, Samuel Beckett’s Happy Days with Karen Dunbar, and a new adaptation of Chekhov’s Three Sisters. 

“Arnold has given us so many exciting, provocative – often downright absurd – but always entertaining theatre experiences,” Tron Theatre Chair SHEREEN NANJIANI MBE said.

“Throughout even the toughest of times, he’s remained passionately committed to the Tron’s vital role in the theatre eco-system and a vocal advocate for the sector as a whole.”

“I have such mixed emotions about introducing this programme for Autumn-Winter 2023 – a great and very typical Tron season, but also, alas, my last,” Arnold added. 

 “I originally saw my post at the Tron as a short-term venture to round off my Glasgow theatre work following my lengthy tenure at the Arches, but instead, fell in love with making and staging work at the Tron. 

“The time is right for me to move on and I'm extremely proud to be closing out my role as the Tron’s Artistic Director with such a full and vibrant programme.”