Exclusive: Michael Boyd to quit the RSC

The theatre world is abuzz with rumours that Michael Boyd, director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, has quit this afternoon. He was appointed in July 2002 and was expected to complete at least a decade in charge. His colleague Vikki Heywood is also expected to resign.

Boyd will probably be best remembered for overseeing the enormous refit of the main theatre in Stratford. The renovated space, with its thrust stage, opened its doors in November 2010 and has been judged a huge success.

Boyd has also shown himself adept at the do-gooding jargon of top public officials. He talks of the Bard’s new home in Stratford as if it were a drop-in centre for junkies. He describes it as ‘a chance to build a contingent, optimistic community.’  

As a director of Shakespeare’s work Boyd’s record is solid if not quite dazzling. And during his tenure, the RSC has sponsored a vast programme of new writing which has proved consistently lamentable.