Varah

Funding cuts and rising costs took much of the blame, with National Theatre executive director Kate Varah recently saying many in the industry are at "breaking point".

Set up by an Anglican vicar, Edward “Chad” Varah, it provided an emergency number – similar to 999 – for anyone contemplating suicide.

Chad Varah argued that the calls were just as important as any others although the anonymous nature of the helpline meant he was unable to prove the case.

Varah - a trained sex therapist - wanted volunteers to identify which callers were “befriendable” and could be helped, and which could not.

Rubasingham will also become the company’s joint chief executive alongside Kate Varah, who is currently executive director of the theater.