This is my first issue as Senior Editor of Theatre Research International. Picking up the ‘baton’ from Freddie Rokem is no easy task; I feel the weight of this responsibility and am conscious of a steep learning curve, despite the excellent insight, wisdom and knowledge Freddie has passed on to me during his term of office, for which I am deeply grateful. Joining me as Associate Editor is Charlotte Canning from the University of Texas, Austin, who, behind the scenes, is already proving to be an invaluable journal colleague.