Theatre boss backs Spacey

Theatre impresario Sally Greene today defended her decision to appoint Kevin Spacey as artistic director of the Old Vic.

Ms Greene bought and refurbished the theatre six years ago before hiring the two-time Academy Award winning actor last year.

He is now committed to the Old Vic for the next decade, she said. Spacey, 45, has had a shaky start in his first season with the plays Cloaca and National Anthems receiving poor reviews. Some critics voiced concerns over his programming.

But Ms Greene said of the doubters: "I haven't taken the slightest bit of notice. Kevin's the artistic director and he chooses. I really go by his taste. And to be honest, when I read Cloaca and National Anthems, I thought they were great plays."

She pointed to Spacey's success in pulling in full houses and a young audience.

She added: "Kevin is going to do Richard II here in September, with Trevor Nunn directing. It's going to be fabulous."