Kenneth Tynan theatre critic until mid-1963 when he joined the National Theatre. In 1963, Laurence Olivier became the British National Theatre Company's first artistic director. Tynan had been highly dismissive of Olivier's achievements as artistic director of the Chichester Festival Theatre, which had opened in 1962, but he recommended himself for the role of literary manager. Olivier was initially outraged by Tynan's presumption but Olivier's wife, Joan Plowright, convinced him that Tynan would be an asset at the National Theatre Company, then based at the Old Vic theatre. When he became the National Theatre's literary manager, Tynan ceased to be the theatre
Old Vic New Voices Old Vic New Voices Old Vic New Voices (OVNV) is The Old Vic’s Education, Community and Emerging Talent programme. Old Vic New Voices aims to nurture talent, inspire young people and open up the theatre to everyone. They develop the next generation of theatre practitioners, many of whom go on to get major commissions, directing posts, senior management positions and become household names; they offer access and insights into theatre making for all ages and experiences; and create ambitious, innovative productions for the community. The programme was founded in 2001 by Kate Packenham, then an associate producer to Sally Greene,