Caro Newling, founding director of Neal Street Productions, has been named as the new President of the Society of London Theatre (SOLT). She follows Mark Rubinstein who leaves the position after his three year tenure.
Formerly Head of Press at the Royal Shakespeare Company, Newling ran the Donmar Warehouse alongside Sam Mendes between 1992 and 2002. After incredible success at the intimate producing house, where they staged more than 70 productions during that decade, the pair founded Neal Street Productions alongside Pippa Harris.
With Neal Street, Newling’s West End productions have included Three Days Of Rain, Enron, The Vertical Hour, Shrek The Musical, The Bridge Project and current London stage hit Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.
Speaking about her appointment, Newling said: “SOLT is a fast developing entity, uniting producers and theatres in both commercial and subsidised sectors under one roof. On behalf of its vibrant membership, Mark Rubinstein and Julian Bird [SOLT’s Chief Executive] have built considerable momentum around the Society’s role as pioneer. It’s a huge privilege to be stepping up at this point. There are certainly challenges ahead, but I’m equally looking forward to celebrating the phenomenal achievements of our creative industry.”
SOLT, which was established in 1908, is an organisation representing the producers, owners and managers of the major commercial and grant aided theatres in central London. In addition to supporting its members legally and with industrial relations it runs the TKTS booth in Leicester Square, audience development initiatives including Get Into London Theatre and Kids Week, major events such as the Olivier Awards and West End LIVE, and publications including the Official London Theatre Guide and this website.
Bird said of the new president, who has previously served as a trustee of the National Theatre and a board member of Chichester Festival Theatre, Adventures In Motion Pictures and the Stage One Council: “Caro brings an enormous wealth of experience in both commercial and not-for-profit theatre, and in both productions and venue management. She is incredibly well placed to help SOLT and its members with the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead over the next few years, not least in funding, training and international ventures, and we welcome her warmly as our new President.”