Director Michael Attenborough CBE is making something of a home-coming to Hampstead Theatre with his new production, Luna Gale.

The 65-year-old son of the late director and actor Sir Richard Attenborough was artistic director at the Eton Avenue venue from 1984 to 1989.

But the theatre he remembers is very different to the modern-day building which was reconstructed in 2003, nearly doubling its capacity.

“It is a kind of weird experience to think I’m opening a show at the Hampstead Theatre,” says Michael, who is directing Rebecca Gilman’s award-winning drama starring The Inspector Lynley Mysteries actress Sharon Small as a social worker presented with the difficult case of little Luna Gale.

He explains: “It is such a completely different building. We survived in a permanent temporary building. It was like a hut but it lasted for about 25 to 30 years and by then it really was falling down. The artistic director I handed over to launched an appeal to build a new theatre.”

Michael’s tenure in Swiss Cottage was very successful: the theatre won 23 awards and was nominated for the 1987 Olivier Outstanding Achievement Award.

He remembers: “When I took over Hampstead Theatre there were really only three new play theatres in London. Now there is a plethora. It was magical, it was incredibly simple. It was only 175 seats – around half what this is.”

His vibrant career continued to the Royal Shakespeare Company and latterly the Almeida Theatre, where he was artistic director for 11 years.

In April 2013, he retired from the Almeida to return to directing plays, a passion which was sparked during his Sussex University days.

“It was my time at university which taught me I wasn’t the world’s greatest actor,” laughs Michael.

“I started directing and I really enjoyed that. By the time I left university, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.”

Luna Gale, Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, June 13 to July 18, 7.30pm, Saturday matinee, 3pm, Wednesday matinee, 2.30pm. Details: 020 7722 9301, hampsteadtheatre.com