Kevin Spacey's Replacement Announced

22 May 2014, 11:29 | Updated: 22 May 2014, 11:38

The former stage Director of the hit musical Matilda is taking over as the Artistic Director of The Old Vic Theatre.

Kevin Spacey is stepping down after a decade in charge.

Matthew Warchus will take up the role in autumn next year.

He has mounted more than 70 productions in London and on Broadway.

Kevin Spacey said: "I couldn't be happier that my friend Matthew Warchus has agreed to take the reins at the Old Vic next year.

"Matthew is a thoughtful, intuitive and highly creative director and he has rightly been applauded for his work, in particular the quality and diversity of his portfolio.

"I know he loves our theatre and I am delighted for our staff, our audiences and for our acting and production communities that he will be its next guardian."

Warchus - whose film Pride, about a group of gay activists supporting striking miners in 1984, is released in September - said: "I am excited and honoured to be following Kevin's galvanising tenure at this wonderful building. He has re-established the Old Vic as a globally important theatre and I look forward to continuing to develop it as a hub of invigorating creativity."

Spacey opens in his one-man show Clarence Darrow at the Old Vic next week.