Maria Aitken, Philip Franks, Christopher Luscombe to Head New U.K. Company Theatre Royal Brighton Productions

Christopher Luscombe will serve as artistic director of the newly formed theatre company, Theatre Royal Brighton Productions, which will present classic drama both on tour and in the West End. Maria Aitken and Philip Franks will serve as associate directors.

The company’s inaugural season, which will consist of three plays, will begin in May 2012. Each production will premiere at at the Theatre Royal Brighton before emarking on a U.K. tour, culminating with a London engagement.

Luscombe received an Olivier Award nomination for his staging of When We Are Married. Among his other directorial credits are The Merry Wives of Windsor at Shakespeare’s Globe, the U.K. tour of Monty Python’s Spamalot, and the upcoming West End revival of The Madness of George III.

Aitken received a Tony Award nomination for her direction of The 39 Steps. She was recently represented on Broadway with Man and Boy, which was also seen in the West End.

Franks’ directorial credits include Nicholas Nickleby, Taking Sides, Collaboration, The Master Builder, and The Deep Blue Sea.