Spacey’s new role: director of Old Vic

Saying he intends to “remain a film actor,” Kevin Spacey took on the role of director of the Old Vic Theatre Company, giving the American actor artistic control over one of the city’s most venerated and long-established theater houses. The first season of productions under Spacey’s control will take place in the fall of next year.

The actor’s close ties with the Old Vic go back to 1998, when he performed there for nine months in Eugene O’Neill’s “The Iceman Cometh” to huge acclaim. “I’m thrilled that the Old Vic’s board of directors has given me their confidence to take on such a challenging role,” he said Wednesday at a news conference at the theater.

Spacey, who plans to move his home to London while he runs the theater, has a lot of work to do. The Old Vic, which first opened in 1818, commands great affection among London theatergoers, but its artistic direction in recent years has been erratic. In 1998, its financial problems nearly forced its closure.

But Spacey’s appointment looks to be part of a re-branding exercise for the theater; it has attracted several charismatic public figures to help its resurgence. With him at Wednesday’s conference were Elton John, chairman of the Old Vic Theatre Trust since June; film director Richard Attenborough, who has been influential in raising funds for the Old Vic; theater and film director Stephen Daldry, who sits on its board of trustees; and Judi Dench, one of Britain’s leading stage actresses.

Spacey described stage acting as “my primary allegiance,” but acknowledged he is equally well-known for his film work. “I intend to remain a film actor,” he insisted, though he conceded he might be making fewer movies for the duration of his appointment. “I’ll simply rearrange my priorities. But it may not be so hard,” he added. “As a movie actor, you’re lucky if you get two films a year. And it’s not always the greatest material you’re [offered].”

Spacey also addressed the issue of an American taking over at the Old Vic: “I’m sure there will be those who ask why isn’t this American actor creating a theater company in his own country. The theatrical tradition is longer in Britain than it is in America, and most American actors worth their salt want to come here and prove themselves and face the challenge the British stage offers. Equally for British actors, there’s something dazzling and romantic about traveling to New York and playing on Broadway. So it seems the compliment is repaid.”

Asked whether big Hollywood names would be starring in his productions, Spacey replied: “Lots and lots, I hope. But we’re also committed to looking at new talent.” He said seasons under his administration would include “new plays, old plays, Shakespeare on a regular basis.”

Spacey, who plans to direct and act in one or two plays each season, said his love affair with London theater goes back to his childhood.

“My parents took theater trips from America to London starting when I was around 7 years old,” he said. “I remember seeing Shakespeare and other productions on the Old Vic stage.

“To have grown up to act on the stage itself was a dream come true. To find myself in the role of director of the Old Vic is beyond my wildest imaginings.”

Spacey told The Times that the appointment had no fixed end-date beyond the 2004-05 season, but he anticipated he would be there “for more than one season.” On Wednesday night, Spacey was scheduled to host to a fund-raising concert for the Old Vic featuring Elton John, Sting, Elvis Costello and Sinead O’Connor.