National Theatre artistic director Indhu Rubasingham has highlighted the crucial role of new writing in British theatre, expressing concern that its decline could undermine the legacy of William Shakespeare. In her 2026 Jennie Lee lecture, she referenced data showing a 44% drop in new plays staged outside London and a 30% decrease within the city over the past decade, along with a 76% decline in new writing festivals. Rubasingham called for increased investment in the arts and pledged to sustain the National Theatre's current level of support for new writing during her tenure. Her first major production as artistic director, Bacchae, was a reimagining of the Greek tragedy by first-time writer Nima Taleghani, staged in the National Theatre's 1000-seat Olivier theatre. She described the production as a "statement of intent," and The Independent praised it for its "full-bodied theatre, rich with invention, intriguing themes, and visual sumptuousness." Rubasingham's upcoming season includes 18 productions, with eight new plays. Two of these, The Great Indaba by Moira Buffini and Major by James Graham, will be staged in the Olivier theatre. She has also planned a revival of Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, featuring Mawaan Rizwan and SNL star George Fouracres in the leading roles. Rubasingham, who became the National Theatre's sixth artistic director in 2023 and the first woman and first person of colour to hold the position, has always championed creative risk-taking. Before joining the National Theatre, she spent a successful decade leading the Kiln Theatre in North London, overseeing several West End transfers, including Red Velvet, Handbagged, and The Father. She emphasized the need to balance opportunities for new voices with the need to support established writers. "We've got to be allowed to fail," she said, acknowledging that failure can be measured by critical or box office reception. She noted that theatre is a unique art form where failure is not always apparent, as audiences may enjoy a play even if it is panned, and writers can learn from the experience. Rubasingham also discussed the importance of "tentpole" productions—shows that are guaranteed to draw large audiences, such as the upcoming revival of West Side Story with Jerome Robbins' original choreography. She also aims to shape modern classics by reviving plays from the 1990s and 2000s. Regarding the issue of phone use in theatres, Rubasingham stated that the National Theatre would not impose a ban, acknowledging that people may need their phones for personal reasons. She noted that turning them off has largely become an ingrained audience habit. Rubasingham has ruled out establishing an NT North, stating that there are already strong theatres in the north, such as Leeds Playhouse and Manchester Royal Exchange. She emphasized the value of partnerships and relationships within the theatre community, rather than replicating the National Theatre's model in other regions.