Dominic Maxwell has been appointed Chief Theatre Critic of The Times, he takes up his position with immediate effect after working for paper since 2005 as theatre editor, chief comedy critic and (from 2008) deputy theatre critic.

Alex O’Connell, Arts Editor of The Times says: “Dominic has been contributing to The Times since 2005, producing brilliant reviews and interviews. I am delighted that he has been appointed Chief Theatre Critic."

Dominic has also written (about theatre, comedy, music and television) for Time Out, Metro and the Sunday Telegraph. Before becoming a reviewer he worked for four years for the World Entertainment News Network (WENN) as a desk editor and writer.

Dominic Maxwell says: “I am thrilled to be taking up this role at a time when there is so much really exciting theatre out there.

"Last week alone I saw Richard Eyre's amazing revival of Ghosts at the Almeida, the David Tennant Richard II for the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon, a spooky puppet Macbeth at the Little Angel and a lively revival of a flawed but fascinating 400-year-old Spanish play at the Ustinov thatre in Bath. Tonight: a performance-art piece in Battersea. And that's just the tip of the tip of the iceberg. There is a lot to celebrate in British theatre.

“Of course, they can't all be coconuts. I've got friends who think that theatre is not for them: elitist, boring, expensive. I've had nights when the same thought has crossed my mind. Go to the wrong West End show and it can set you back a small fortune. It's important to say when shows are OK rather than amazing, when they are poor rather than average. Not everyone will agree with my opinions all of the time. But I strive to be informative, entertaining and provocative."

Dominic studied philosophy at Sussex University, after which he spent a couple of years loaded with existential dread before training as a journalist. He is married with two daughters and lives in North London.