"Sadler,s Wells has been warned it could struggle to attract a new chief executive because of the emergence of the refurbished Hackney Empire as a favourite with both audiences and performers.

Current incumbent Jean-Luc Choplin, who announced his resignation from Sadler%u2019s Wells in January after less than one year in the post, will take up a new position at Paris%u2019 Chatelet Theatre in 2006. However, one senior opera source warned that since the reopened Hackney Empire was likely to develop into a serious rival before Choplin%u2019s successor was found"

(Via The Stage Online :: News :: Hackney Empire threatens Sadler's chances of new chief executive: .)

"Simon Thomsett has been appointed to succeed Roland Muldoon as the chief executive of the Hackney Empire.

Currently general manager, Thomsett will begin the role, when Muldoon and his wife Claire - who is head of programming at the venue - leave in December.

Muldoon took charge of the Empire in 1985, re-establishing it as a home for variety. He oversaw the site’s extensive £19 million refurbishment from the beginning of the fundraising in 1997 to the Matcham-designed theatre’s reopening in January 2004, and is widely credited with saving the venue, which was built in 1901.

Thomsett had been regarded as the favourite to take over from Muldoon, having served as general manager at the venue since the mid-nineties."

(Via The Stage Online :: News :: Thomsett to replace Muldoon at Hackney Empire: .)