WORCESTER REP’s prolific associate director Ben Humphrey has revealed the curtain will come down on his time with the theatre company at the conclusion of this summer’s production of The Hound of the Baskervilles.
The director, who trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, has worked on and off with the Worcester Rep for more than a decade and for the last seven years has been its associate director as well as everyone’s favourite panto character, Dame Ginny.
His 2015 production of The Comedy of Errors transferred to the National Theatre of Romania and he also found success with the highly acclaimed 800th Anniversary production of King John staged in 2016 at Worcester Cathedral around the tomb of the monarch on the anniversary of his death.
His most recent venture was his founding of the Young Rep and its inaugural production which saw the group and Humphrey himself described as ‘the future of theatre’.
While he admitted he was sad to be leaving, Humphrey admitted he was waling away at an exciting time for the company.
“Worcester Rep is such an incredible company and I have made some lifelong friends here. I will miss the incredible spirit and drive of the company members, but I am incredibly proud of the work that we have created over the years,” he said.
“I’ve been so touched by all the messages of good luck and best wishes for the next stage of my career and although I am incredibly excited to be working all over the UK now, especially in Scotland, I will be sad to leave such a brilliant theatre company.”
Humphrey has also been a fixture in Worcester’s civic life as chairman of the Battle of Worcester Society, principal and board member of the Elgar School of Music, trustee of the English Symphony Orchestra and advisor to various arts and cultural organisations across the county.
“Worcester is such an incredible place, with a huge amount to offer. This is not a goodbye to Worcester by any means and I will still have a base here. I look forward continuing to support organisations and the city in any way that I can,” he added.
Announcements are yet to be made regarding Humphrey’s various replacements.
