National Theatre director Nicholas Hytner to step down Nicholas Hytner has announced he will step down as artistic director of one of the UK's most important theatres at the end of March 2015. The 56-year-old Hytner took over from Trevor Nunn in 2003 and has been responsible for some of the theatre's biggest successes. Hytner directed the award-winning hit One Man, Two Guvnors, which transferred to the West End in 2011 and then to Broadway. The same happened with his production of The History Boys in 2004, which starred Richard Griffiths and won the Tony award for best play. Whilst head of the theatre, Hytner initiated National Theatre Live, the programme of live cinema broadcasts of the National's plays and set up reduced price ticket seasons, which were sponsored by Travelex. Nick Hytner said: "It's been a joy and a privilege to lead the National Theatre for ten years and I'm looking forward to the next two. I have the most exciting and most fulfilling job in the English-speaking theatre; and after twelve years it will be time to give someone else a turn to enjoy the company of my stupendous colleagues, who together make the National what it is. As well as Hytner's departure, the National also announced that Nick Starr, its executive director, will leave in 2014. The new director will be announced in the autumn.