Controversial theatre chief leaves post after two years of changes

The controversial chief of one of the region’s leading theatres has stepped down.

Andrew Smaje, the man who prompted John Godber to leave Hull Truck Theatre after 20 years, is leaving his position as chief executive to “pursue new opportunities”, the theatre announced.

The move, announced by the chair of the board Sarah Jane Dickenson, leaves the theatre without a chief.

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She said: “Since 2010 Andrew Smaje has developed and diversified the artistic profile of Hull Truck Theatre. He has successfully supported the production of work which has attracted new audiences and critical acclaim.

“Having taken the theatre through a significant period of change Andrew is now leaving the company to pursue new opportunities. The Board of Hull Truck Theatre wishes him every success.”

One of the first moves of Mr Smaje, who joined Hull Truck in summer 2010 from Bath’s Ustinov Theatre, was to make the theatre’s then artistic director, Gareth Tudor Price, redundant.

At the time Mr Smaje programmed a new season of work at Hull Truck, but nothing in the programme was to be directed by Mr Tudor Price. It prompted an outcry from actors’ union Equity, which publicly condemned the decision by Mr Smaje to not have an artistic director working alongside himself as chief executive.

It is not clear who is currently leading Hull Truck.

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Andrew Smaje said: “I know that the theatre is in safe hands with the excellent team in place there. I’d like to thank them for the tremendous job they have done in helping to turn Hull Truck Theatre around in the last couple of years. I wish them well for the future.”

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