Michael Attenborough graduated from Sussex University in 1972 and subsequently worked as Associate Director at the Mercury Theatre Colchester (1972-4) at the Leeds Playhouse (1974-9 now the West Yorkshire Playhouse) and the Young Vic (1979-80).

He was then appointed Artistic Director of the Palace Theatre Watford (1980-83) which played to an average of 92% during his time, and subsequently Director of the Hampstead Theatre (1984-9) where the theatre produced 33 plays during his regime, five of which transferred to the West End and one to Broadway. The theatre won 23 awards, including one for Attenborough as Best Director in the Time Out Theatre Awards.

In 1989 he was appointed Artistic Director of the Turnstyle Group in the West End and then in 1990, Resident Director and Executive Producer of the Royal Shakespeare Company, becoming Principal Associate Director in 1996. His productions included Peter Whelan’s The Herbal Bed (RSC, West End, Broadway) Pentecost by David Edgar (Evening Standard Award for Best Play) Romeo and Juliet, Othello and Henry IV (South Bank Show Theatre Award). On leaving the company he was invited to become an Honorary Associate Artist.

In July 2002 Michael Attenborough became Artistic Director of the Almeida Theatre. His productions have so far included The Mercy Seat, Five Gold Rings, Brighton Rock, The Late Henry Moss, Enemies, There Came A Gypsy Riding, Big White Fog, Awake and Sing! and The Homecoming. He recently directed the World Premiere of David Edgar’s Playing With Fire at the National Theatre.

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