Bristol Old Vic's Tom Morris rules himself out of National Theatre job Jul 22nd 2013, 11:27
Another prime contender to take over from Nicholas Hytner as National boss declares himself out of the running, citing unfinished business in Bristol
War Horse director Tom Morris has revealed that he has not applied for the artistic director's job at the National Theatre, despite being tipped as a prime contender for the role.
The Tony award-winning director, who has been in charge at the Bristol Old Vic theatre since 2009, joins his War Horse co-director Marianne Elliott in ruling himself out. It had been strongly suggested that the pair could make a strong joint application to succeed Nicholas Hytner, who will step down in March 2013.
Last week, another potential candidate, Dominic Dromgoole, also revealed that he would remain in situ at Shakespeare's Globe until spring 2016. Other bookies' favourites who have chosen not to apply include Sam Mendes and Danny Boyle.
Morris told Whatsonstage.com that he was committed to his work in Bristol and would remain in his current role for the foreseeable future.
"I've been very close to the National for nearly 10 years, and I think officially I'm still an associate director there, although I'm spending most of my time in Bristol. It's been hugely successful under Nick Starr and Nick Hytner, but I didn't apply to take over from Nick because the project here, of making this theatre work and making it work with and for the people of Bristol, is not going to be finished by 2015," he said.
"We've got a massive year in Bristol in 2016, which is the 250th anniversary of this theatre and the 800th anniversary of the city of Bristol and various other things. Our aim is to complete the second phase of our redevelopment [the Front of House refurbishment] by then, which will require my full focus. So I'll be cheering whoever gets the job from Bristol, and hope to work with them soon."
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