THE resignations of Jonathan Kent and Ian McDiarmid as joint artistic directors of London's Almeida Theatre should not affect its relationship with Malvern.

That is the view of Nic Lloyd, Malvern Theatre's chief executive.

The theatre company has brought many of its groundbreaking productions to Malvern for over past few years, but this week the two men who created it announced they were resigning to pursue other interests.

Mr Lloyd said: "The Almeida has been one of the most innovative theatres in the country since it was formed and it has been a pleasure and privilege to work with them.

"It has been a wonderful time for us and there's no reason why the relationship we enjoy should not continue."

Mr Lloyd said the Almeida was set to return in the spring with a new production, which will then begin a nationwide tour.

He said he hoped the theatre might also be able to maintain links with Kent and McDiarmid in their future ventures, which have not yet been announced.

The Almeida was founded in Islington at the start of the 1990s by the duo, who met while working at the Glasgow Citizens Theatre.

The relationship between Malvern and the Almeida stretches back to 1998, when the company provided the backbone of a summer drama festival, the first of its kind. It featured Dame Diana Rigg in Phaedre, Racine's great tragedy, and Ian McDiarmid himself taking a major role in Shaw's The Doctor's Dilemma. There was also a Berthold Brecht play and the world premiere of Edward Albee's The Play About The Baby.

In 1999, the festival featured productions of The Jew of Malta and The Triumph of Love.

In November 2000, the Almeida returned with another premiere, Conversations After A Burial, by Yasmina Reza, featuring Claire Bloom.