The company, which will present classic drama both on tour and in the West End, will be headed by Christopher Luscombe as artistic director, with Maria Aitken and Philip Franks as associate directors.

It will present three plays during its first year, kicking off in May 2012, with each production opening at the Theatre Royal Brighton, before a national tour and London. According to a press statement, "the intention is to deliver the highest quality theatre with the cream of British talent in established, and, on occasion, rarely seen plays."

Luscombe, whose Bath Theatre Royal production of The Madness of George III opens at the West End's Apollo Theatre in January following a national tour, has commented, "I'm delighted to have this opportunity to create shows for one of my favourite theatres. All actors and directors have a fondness for the Theatre Royal Brighton, and the distinctive magic of both the playhouse and the city. Brighton has a great tradition for outstanding theatre, and we hope to build on it. I can’t wait to get started."

Luscombe's other recent directorial credits include The Merry Wives of Windsor at Shakespeare's Globe, When We Are Married in the West End and the UK tour of Spamalot for ATG.

Associates Aitken and Franks are both actors and directors. Aitken has starred in more Noël Coward plays on the West End stage than any other actress. Her directorial credits include The 39 Steps (West End and Broadway), and Man and Boy (currently at Broadway's American Airlines Theatre). Franks is best known for starring on TV in "The Darling Buds of May" and "Heartbeat." His directorial credits include Private Lives for the National Theatre, Nicholas Nickleby (Chichester, West End and Toronto) and Taking Sides and Collaboration (both Chichester and West End). Theatre Royal Brighton Productions will be produced by Howard Panter, Adam Speers and Evanna White for Ambassador Theatre Group.