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Royal Shakespeare Company names Gregory Doran as artistic director Royal Shakespeare Company names Gregory Doran as artistic director
(1 day later)
Gregory Doran has been named artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company – only the fifth in the company's five-decade history. Gregory Doran has been named artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company – only the sixth in the company's five-decade history.
Doran has spent 25 years with the RSC, joining as an actor in 1987 before switching to directing the following season, eventually rising to the position of chief associate director.Doran has spent 25 years with the RSC, joining as an actor in 1987 before switching to directing the following season, eventually rising to the position of chief associate director.
Doran has directed more than two dozen plays for the RSC, including a celebrated production of Hamlet in 2008, which starred David Tennant; the former Doctor Who star sat on the selection panel that recruited him. Doran originally applied for the job 10 years ago, but lost out to Michael Boyd, who announced last year that he was stepping down.Doran has directed more than two dozen plays for the RSC, including a celebrated production of Hamlet in 2008, which starred David Tennant; the former Doctor Who star sat on the selection panel that recruited him. Doran originally applied for the job 10 years ago, but lost out to Michael Boyd, who announced last year that he was stepping down.
Nigel Hugill, the RSC chairman, said that Doran was "the perfect choice" and "well known to all our audiences. His long history with the Company is testament to his great skills as a director, his deep understanding of Shakespeare and a true commitment to theatre-making."Nigel Hugill, the RSC chairman, said that Doran was "the perfect choice" and "well known to all our audiences. His long history with the Company is testament to his great skills as a director, his deep understanding of Shakespeare and a true commitment to theatre-making."
Doran's appointment was warmly received at the RSC. The company's new writer in residence, playwright Mark Ravenhill, tweeted "big love in the house for Greg Doran as he dons the RSC crown."Doran's appointment was warmly received at the RSC. The company's new writer in residence, playwright Mark Ravenhill, tweeted "big love in the house for Greg Doran as he dons the RSC crown."
The RSC receives £16.4m a year in arts council funding and in 2010 reopened the Royal Shakespeare Theatre at its home in Stratford-Upon-Avon after a £112m renovation. However, some critics have claimed that recent productions have played too safe. The Observer's theatre critic Susannah Clapp wrote that the company was "no longer unassailable as the prime interpreters of Shakespeare. The Globe grabs audiences by the scruff of the neck. The National, Donmar and Almeida have produced innovative productions; Bristol's Tobacco Factory regularly creates the most true. Then there is Edward Hall's small, rough-housing Propeller."The RSC receives £16.4m a year in arts council funding and in 2010 reopened the Royal Shakespeare Theatre at its home in Stratford-Upon-Avon after a £112m renovation. However, some critics have claimed that recent productions have played too safe. The Observer's theatre critic Susannah Clapp wrote that the company was "no longer unassailable as the prime interpreters of Shakespeare. The Globe grabs audiences by the scruff of the neck. The National, Donmar and Almeida have produced innovative productions; Bristol's Tobacco Factory regularly creates the most true. Then there is Edward Hall's small, rough-housing Propeller."
Despite this, Doran seems unlikely to take the company in a radical new direction. In 2008 he told the Guardian that the best advice he had ever received was not to be too clever. "Your role as a director is just to help the actors. You don't need to do Shakespeare On Ice to get noticed."Despite this, Doran seems unlikely to take the company in a radical new direction. In 2008 he told the Guardian that the best advice he had ever received was not to be too clever. "Your role as a director is just to help the actors. You don't need to do Shakespeare On Ice to get noticed."
His greatest rival for the position was thought to be director Rupert Goold, famous for his innovative productions. Last year at the RSC, Goold set The Merchant of Venice in Las Vegas, complete with Elvis impersonator. However, he was recently rumoured to have withdrawn his application for the job after pondering the effect a full-time job in Stratford-upon-Avon would have on his two young children. The RSC would not comment on who had applied.His greatest rival for the position was thought to be director Rupert Goold, famous for his innovative productions. Last year at the RSC, Goold set The Merchant of Venice in Las Vegas, complete with Elvis impersonator. However, he was recently rumoured to have withdrawn his application for the job after pondering the effect a full-time job in Stratford-upon-Avon would have on his two young children. The RSC would not comment on who had applied.
Clapp said that Doran was a "vigorous and open" director, adding that he should bring in associate directors who would do more than simply echo his taste. She said: "I hope that when he's in position he gives a very clear statement about what he thinks the RSC is for, because I don't think we quite know at the moment."Clapp said that Doran was a "vigorous and open" director, adding that he should bring in associate directors who would do more than simply echo his taste. She said: "I hope that when he's in position he gives a very clear statement about what he thinks the RSC is for, because I don't think we quite know at the moment."
Doran's first season at the RSC will be in 2014. This summer he is to direct a "pan-African" production of Julius Caesar with a cast of black British actors as part of the World Shakespeare Festival. It will be staged in Stratford and London, and broadcast on BBC4.Doran's first season at the RSC will be in 2014. This summer he is to direct a "pan-African" production of Julius Caesar with a cast of black British actors as part of the World Shakespeare Festival. It will be staged in Stratford and London, and broadcast on BBC4.
Hugill added: "We had a strong field of candidates from which to choose, but it was absolutely clear that Greg brings a real passion and vision for the future of the company, as well as providing the continuity to build on the considerable achievements of Michael Boyd."Hugill added: "We had a strong field of candidates from which to choose, but it was absolutely clear that Greg brings a real passion and vision for the future of the company, as well as providing the continuity to build on the considerable achievements of Michael Boyd."
Doran said: "I guess if my appointment represents something, it represents a long-term commitment to the disciplines and craftsmanship required to do the astonishing plays of our Star of Poets, William Shakespeare."Doran said: "I guess if my appointment represents something, it represents a long-term commitment to the disciplines and craftsmanship required to do the astonishing plays of our Star of Poets, William Shakespeare."
• This article was amended on 23 March 2012. The original said that Greg Doran is only the fifth artistic director in the company's five-decade history. This has been corrected.