Kate Haldane named as new chair of registered charity Royal Court Liverpool which oversees the city’s Royal Court Theatre

Registered charity Royal Court Liverpool, which oversees Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre, has confirmed Kate Haldane as the new chair of its board.

Kate steps into the role amid the departure of previous chair Chris Pavlou. She heads Kate Haldane Management, a new literary-light-entertainment agency, representing writers for tv, film, theatre, radio and award-winning broadcasters.

To celebrate her appointment she lined up for a picture alongside Royal Court chief executive Gillian Miller and many of the women who work for the theatre on the eve of International Women’s Day.

Some could not make the shoot as they are at rehearsals, set building and other essential theatre roles.

“The Royal Court is a vital part of the cultural makeup of Liverpool, and a bit of an unsung hero of theatre,” said Kate.

In February LBN revealed the Royal Court was defying the economic gloom by continuing to attract audiences in ever greater numbers. Its annual accounts show attendances up 11% and revenues rising 37% to £6.6m.

Kate added: “Not content with producing new writing year in and year out that plays to packed houses of happy, laughing people, it does the most amazing community work.

“There’s the summer school, the Youth Theatre, the Community Choir and its Variety Club lunches are unbeatable nuggets of joy and warmth.

“It’s amazing, and I am so proud to be able to offer it all the support I can as the new chair of the charitable board. I’m really looking forward to working with the brilliant team in the theatre to make sure it keeps going and keeps getting better.”