The Old Vic confirmed that Matthew Warchus is to take over as artistic director - though he would apparently prefer to be known as "artistic leader."

Whether this shows Messianic tendencies or a becoming modesty remains to be seen, but he is undoubtedly a talented young director who is likely to take the venerable - and much-loved - South London institution forward.

Warchus is bset known for directing the long-running play Art, though he has directed other plays by the same author (Yasmina Reza) - The Unexpected Man, Life x3 - and numerous productions for the RSC and National as well as for commercial producers.

With the filling of this post, and that of the Almeida (which yesterday announced the appointment of Michael Attenborough as artistic director, first reported by Playbill On-Line and Theatrenow Jan. 10), the remaining high-profile theatre vacancies are at the Donmar and Hampstead.

Given the momentum that Warchus and Attenborough's appointments will undoubtedly generate it can't be too long before the boards of these two major theatrical powerhouses decide on their choices too —by Paul Webb Theatrenow