A New Era at the National Theatre: Indhu Rubasingham Fêted in New York
“London’s National Theatre is like Mount Everest to me,” Jeremy Strong told Vogue on Thursday evening. “It’s really the summit—such an important place. It’s where my life changed when I was an aspiring actor.” The Tony and Emmy Award–winning actor was co-hosting an intimate cocktail reception, alongside two-time Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Lynn Nottage, Colman Domingo, and Anna Wintour to celebrate the appointment of Indhu Rubasingham as the new artistic director of the National Theatre—its seventh in history, and notably, its first woman and first person of color to hold the post since its founding in 1963 under Laurence Olivier.
Wintour, a longtime supporter of the institution, opened the doors of her Manhattan townhouse to fête Rubasingham’s historic appointment and the National Theatre’s far-reaching impact. A mix of benefactors, collaborators, and friends—including former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, Diana Taylor, Huma Abedin, Paul Dano, Amelia Gray, Jay Ellis, Christine Schwarzman, Daryl Roth, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Michael Arden and Bee Carrozzini—gathered on the parlor floor to toast Rubasingham and hear about her vision for the Theatre’s future. “Now the Indhu era begins,” Wintour declared in her welcome remarks, prompting cheers and applause.
Speaking to Vogue mid-evening, Rubasingham acknowledged the historic nature of her new role. “As the first woman, I hope it opens doors and encourages others to think they can do the job,” she said. “But more than that, I want to be seen as a brilliant director—regardless of gender or race.”
When asked about her goals as the most powerful woman in British theatre, Rubasingham didn’t hesitate: “I hope to make theatre more accessible, inclusive, generous, and kind. I love the digital work the National does—it democratizes theater for those who can’t physically attend or afford it. I want to expand that reach and make a difference for all people.”