Rhys Hopkin appointed as new theatre director for Crewe Lyceum

Crewe’s Lyceum Theatre, a Trafalgar Entertainment regional venue, announces the appointment of Rhys Hopkin to the position of Theatre Director.

Rhys joins the Lyceum from Cheltenham Trust where, as Deputy Head of Commercial, he programmed and managed live events at the Trust’s venues and museum. Rhys has spent most of his career in presenting venues, with roles focused on marketing, audience development and programming. He has also worked as a freelance producer and event manager for site-specific productions and festivals.

As the Theatre Director for the Lyceum, Rhys takes on responsibility for the venue in a period of opportunity as the Lyceum, and the live entertainment industry as a whole, continues to recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In addition to leading on a revitalised programme of events in the historic auditorium, Rhys will be focusing on creating a robust range of participatory activities and outreach to the local community; and supporting further opportunities for new talent in Cheshire through Crewe’s artist development and residency programme. In 2022, the Lyceum will launch a new programme for the venue’s Studio space with a focus on creating a showcase for fringe comedy, new writing and young voices in the local area. The Lyceum will also continue to support the L2 Lyceum Square project, recently awarded £750,000 from the Accelerated Towns Fund.

Rhys Hopkin said: “It’s a great honour to have the chance to take charge of the Lyceum Theatre.  It’s one of Cheshire’s most important cultural assets, and has a committed team, dedicated to creating first class opportunities for audiences and participation. 

I’m excited to be building on the excellent work done by Adam Knight, and working closely with the local authority and local colleagues to ensure the Lyceum is at the heart of Crewe’s regeneration, and making the town a destination of choice again.”

QUOTE FROM TRAFALGAR ENTS/HQ.

The Lyceum Theatre became part of Trafalgar Entertainment in 2021. Co-founded by Sir Howard Panter and Dame Rosemary Squire in 2017, Trafalgar Entertainment is a premium international live entertainment business focussed on new productions, the distribution of live-streaming innovative content and the provision of amazing spaces where people can come together to share in the experience of live entertainment.

Trafalgar Entertainment’s regional UK venues include the New Theatre, Cardiff, Cliffs Pavilion, Southend; G Live, Guildford; Orchard Theatre, Dartford; The Churchill Theatre, Bromley; the Swan, High Wycombe; the Lyceum Theatre, Crewe; the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon; the Beck Theatre, Hayes; the White Rock Theatre, Hastings; the Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea; and the Arts Centre, Swindon.