Change of scenery for theatre boss

Madani Younis, 32, currently the artistic director of Bradford’s Freedom Studios, has been appointed to run the Bush Theatre in London.

Mr Younis will take up his new post on January 1. The London theatre is currently in the process of moving from its famous base above a pub, into the former Shepherd’s Bush Library. The current artistic director, Josie Rourke, is leaving to run the Donmar Warehouse in London’s West End and previous artistic directors of the Bush include Dominic Dromgoole, who is now running Shakespeare’s Globe.

Mr Younis said: “I am delighted and honoured to be joining the Bush Theatre at this significant time in its history. During the past two years, through my work at Freedom Studios, I have had the privilege to build a strong working relationship with the Bush in supporting the development of new writers, and I look forward to continuing that work, and building the company’s future in its new home.”

In 2009 the Yorkshire Post highlighted Mr Younis as one of “Yorkshire’s 100 Bright Young Things”, people under 30 in the arts whom we tipped for bright futures.

The director began his career at Asian Theatre School, under Leeds’s Red Ladder Theatre Company, in 2001, before moving to Bradford.