The news follows the announcement earlier this year that Gardner’s theatre blog for The Guardian was being cut. At the time, 40 UK theatres unsuccessfully lobbied The Guardian to reinstate the blog, says The Stage.
Now, as part of her new role as a senior member of The Stage’s editorial team, her theatre blog will find a new home at The Stage. As associate editor, Gardner will write a weekly column and an in-depth monthly feature. She will also sit on judging panels for The Stage 100, The Stage Awards and The Stage Debut Awards, as well as playing a key advisory role along with fellow associate editor Mark Shenton. Gardner will continue to review and write for The Guardian in her role as theatre critic for the publication.
As well as featuring the work of established arts journalists like Gardner and Shenton, The Stage says it has a commitment to discovering new voices in arts journalism. One of the existing ways it does this is with The Stage Critic Search. This is a nationwide campaign to find new voices in theatre criticism. Gardner will sit on the panel of judges for The Stage Critic Search 2017.
Alistair Smith, print editor of The Stage, said: “Lyn will be an excellent addition to The Stage and I couldn’t be happier that she is joining us. Her theatre blog has long been an extremely valuable resource for British theatre and I’m delighted we have found a new home for it at The Stage.
“Lyn is a hugely respected commentator on UK theatre and will provide a complementary voice to existing members of our team, including her fellow associate editor Mark Shenton.
“Serious, paid theatre journalism is in a difficult place at the moment, but The Stage is delighted to extend its commitment to covering the broad range of great theatre work that takes place across the UK. We already review more theatre across the UK than any other publication. Lyn’s expert commentary and insight will help us expand on that nationwide commitment.”
Lyn Gardner said: “The Stage is a vital voice in the theatre industry, a place for the highest quality arts journalism, and I am thrilled to be joining the team.
“I’m also delighted that my theatre blog has found a new home. Thank you to The Stage for giving me the platform to continue this important work.”
