RSC veteran Gregory Doran 'delighted' at knighthood honour

Gregory Doran said he had enjoyed sharing Shakespeare's genius

Royal Shakespeare Company veteran Gregory Doran has spoken of his "delight" at being given a knighthood.

The 65-year-old, whose term as artistic director emeritus is due to end, was recognised for services to the arts in the New Year Honours list.

He enjoyed sharing Shakespeare's genius and the RSC's dedication, he said.

He was artistic director of the company for 10 years, but stepped down last year after taking leave to care for his husband Sir Antony Sher.

"I am delighted to have received this honour," he said.

"Shakespeare has been a passport through my life, and I have been privileged to be able to spend so much of career working with the very greatest company dedicated to his work, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and sharing his genius with as many as possible around the world."

Sir Gregory has been with the company for 36 years, having begun his career as an actor with the RSC and became its associate director in 1996.

His husband Sir Antony, who was widely regarded as one of the country's finest contemporary classical actors and also had long association with the RSC, died from cancer in 2021.

Gregory Doran, pictured with King Charles looking at RSC costumes, has been given a knighthood

In 2002, Sir Gregory led a season of five rarely performed Jacobean and Elizabethan plays and directed The Island Princess by John Fletcher at Stratford-upon-Avon's Swan Theatre.

He received an Olivier Award for outstanding achievement of the year for its run at the Gielgud Theatre in London.

His credits also include directing Richard II, starring David Tennant, in a production which was the RSC's first to play live to cinemas around the world in 2013.

Sir Gregory also directed Shakespeare Live! to mark the 400th anniversary of the Bard's death in April 2016. Other credits include directing the musical from David Walliams' comedy, The Boy in the Dress.

He took up the role of artistic director emeritus of the RSC until 31 December, 2023.

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [e-mail]