In 2002, West made his stage directorial debut with "The Lady's Not for Burning" at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester. He succeeded Michael Grandage as artistic director of Sheffield Theatres from 2005–2007. During his time, as artistic director West revived the controversial "The Romans in Britain" and also directed "As You Like It" as part of the RSC's Complete Works Festival. West left Sheffield when the theatre closed for refurbishment in 2007 and made his West End directorial debut with the first major revival of "Dealer's Choice" following its transferral to the Trafalgar Studios. He also continued his acting career: in 2007 he appeared alongside Toby Stephens and Dervla Kirwan in "Betrayal" at the Donmar Warehouse,