Chief Exec Lucy Askew bids farewell to Creation

In mid April I will be leaving Creation after 15 years. I am filled with a mix of emotions – excitement for new opportunities and ventures, but also sadness to be saying goodbye to so many incredible people, and to be leaving before so many exciting projects have reached fruition.

During my time at Creation, I have had the privilege of working with an amazing team of actors, directors, and creatives who have brought our productions to life with their incredible talent and dedication. I am so grateful for all the hard work they have put in over the years, and for the friendships we have formed along the way.

One of the things I am most proud of during my time at Creation is our education programme, which has given so many children and young people the opportunity to explore their creativity and develop new skills. It has been an absolute joy to work with them, and I am so proud of all the creative and adventurous things we’ve accomplished together.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support and encouragement of our incredible audiences, who have embraced our bold and innovative programming choices with open arms. It has been a privilege to create work that has resonated with so many people, and I am grateful for every single person who has attended our shows and supported us in so many ways.

I must also give a special shoutout to Charlie Morley, our Operations Director, who has been an absolute rock and without whom I would have been lost. Charlie’s dedication, hard work and organisational skills have been instrumental in the success of our productions. I cannot thank her enough for everything she has done for Creation Theatre.

Finally, I would like to thank the board of Trustees for their unwavering support throughout my tenure as CEO. Their guidance and leadership have been invaluable, and I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of such a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation.

Creation has a vibrant and exciting programme of work coming up in 2023, but it is of enormous regret to me that the post-pandemic landscape means I am leaving Creation with less money in the bank than I would have liked to. Rebuilding audience numbers, and fundraising income are going to be an immediate challenge for my successor and I am sorry not to be there to join the fight to ensure Creation remains a part of Oxford’s cultural landscape for many years to come.

Within the limited time I have available before I start my new position at Broadway Cinema, I am determined to raise as much money as I can as my parting gift to support the continuation of Creation’s work. To do this in the most on -brand way possible I have committed to running between all the venues in Oxford I have produced shows at in the past ten years…dressed as a carrot*.

The route will encompass 11 venues, and cover about 10.5km, and I have not gone for a run since August. If Creation’s work has touched you in any way over the past ten years please make a donation so my quirky approach to raising funds isn’t a mad folly and supports future Creation eccentricity and joy.

It’s hard to say goodbye, but I’m excited to see where the future takes Creation Theatre. I’m grateful for all the wonderful memories and friendships that have come out of this experience, and I know that the legacy of the shows we have made will live on. Thank you all – it’s been an absolute pleasure.

*In case you’re wondering why, the carrot is the emblem of our extras members, masterminded by the late Andy Cooke.