Cheltenham Playhouse has appointed Miles Leven as its new theatre manager this October 2025.
Miles brings 15 years of experience in theatre management and an MA in creative producing from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama to the role, with the goal to 'drive positive change, help the venue thrive and encourage and support all who access the arts'.
The Grade II-listed community theatre faced a battle to keep its doors open earlier this year, but is declaring Miles' appointment 'a fresh start' to give the charity 'a new lease of life'.
Miles said: 'I am really excited to join this amazing team. Having spent most of my life in theatres, there is nowhere I feel more at home and from the moment I walked through the doors of the Playhouse I knew it was a special place.
'I believe in creating theatre which provides exceptional value for audiences and a fulfilling experience for all ages. As a child I was lucky enough to be taken to the West End to see shows, but I know that’s not everyone's story and we have to make high quality theatre accessible to all.
'I am particularly focused on providing children with their first live theatre experience; these moments are so valuable and can completely change a child’s life.'
Miles' appointment comes just as the Playhouse begins gearing up for its annual Christmas pantomime, Dick Whittington.
Having produced nine pantomimes in previous theatres, as well as a number of other family and fringe shows, Miles hopes to raise the profile of the theatre and get audiences coming back again and again.
'We have a strong foundation to build on and a beautiful, historical space in a great location. We need to make sure we are putting on events people want to see and then shouting about it from the rooftops – maybe even literally – to get people through the doors and put this theatre on the map!'
