The Orange Tree Theatre is losing its Artistic Director, Paul Miller, after he successfully overcame the 'seismic challenge' created by the pandemic lockdown.

The lockdown had an horrendous impact on the performing arts, robbing organisations like the Orange Tree of audiences and income.

As a result, it put a huge strain on the organisation which is now in a rebuilding and recovery phase.

Under Paul Miller's leadership, the Orange Tree has gone from strength to strength, reaching an average annual audience of 70,000 across the UK.

Following an infamous first day in post in 2014, when Arts Council England announced the theatre would no longer be funded as a National Portfolio Organisation, Paul and Executive Director Hanna Streeter have gone on to transform the OT's business model to secure its sustainability, and in 2019/20 the theatre was projecting its first significant surplus.

Hanna Streeter, said: "I am truly honoured to have worked alongside Paul over the last three years.

"Navigating the pandemic with no core funding has been a seismic challenge, though with Paul's tenacious leadership, artistic brilliance and overwhelming kindness, I never doubted that the OT would survive.

"Thanks also to our dedicated staff, freelancers and supporters we are in a stable position to recruit for a new Artistic Director, and what an exciting opportunity for someone exceptional to join us, we have huge amounts to look forward to."

Paul Miller said: "After eight wonderful years at the Orange Tree Theatre, now is the right time for me to step down as Artistic Director and for a new person to lead the organisation into the future.

I couldn't be prouder of all the work that has been achieved in my time, with so many brilliantly talented colleagues and artists. We have produced over 70 shows and each one has had something special about them. "Now is the perfect time for the OT to look to the future with renewed vision and purpose. It's a unique theatre and I shall miss it very much."

The OT Chair, Richard Humphreys, said: "It has been both a pleasure and a privilege to work with Paul. Through inspirational creative direction and far-sighted strategic leadership his time at the Orange Tree has been transformative.

"Paul leaves a strong and resilient company with a stellar artistic reputation and a first-class team in place to take the theatre forward and build on his legacy".