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Michael Boyd

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BIO

Boyd trained as a director at the Malaya Bronnaya Theatre in Moscow, and in 1979 took up his first post as a trainee director at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, graduating to Assistant Director a year later.



In 1982, he joined the Sheffield Crucible as an Associate Director, and three years later became founding Artistic Director of the Tron Theatre in Glasgow, where he staged a production of Macbeth starring Iain Glen, an adaptation of Janice Galloway's The Trick is to Keep Breathing and Michel Tremblay's Quebec plays, The Real World? and The Guid Sisters.

Boyd joined the RSC in 1996 as an Associate Director, staging the three parts of Henry VI together with Richard III at the Young Vic in London in April 2002, as part of the This England: Histories Cycle.

During this time he was also Drama Director of the New Beginnings Festival of Soviet Arts in Glasgow in 1999, and directed Miss Julie in the Frank McGuinness version at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in February 2000.

Taking over from Adrian Noble in 2003, Boyd assumed control of the RSC, burdened with a deficit of £2.8m, with a remit to turn its fortunes around. He ran a year-long Complete Works of Shakespeare Festival (begun in April 2006 and involving other companies as well as the RSC) and a London season at the Novello Theatre.

In 2007, he launched the long-awaited redevelopment of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. This included construction of the temporary Courtyard Theatre to provide a Stratford venue while work was in progress. It was designed to house The Histories cycle, before its transfer to the Roundhouse in London in 2008.

Boyd regularly collaborated with stage designer Tom Piper since they first worked together on a pantomime for the Tron Theatre in Glasgow.

He died in August 2023.

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Return Engagement [Broadway], 1982
Ensemble/Other Roles

Aggie #17

Cowboy

Photographer


Awards and Nominations


winner
Olivier Awards - 2009 - Best Company Performance

Michael BoydThe Histories


winner
Olivier Awards - 2009 - Best Revival

Michael BoydThe Histories


winner
Olivier Awards - 2002 - Best Director

Michael BoydHenry VI Parts I, II and III and Richard III

News


Theatre For A New Audience Founder Jeffrey Horowitz To Retire

Jeffrey Horowitz, Founder of Theatre for a New Audience, having led and grown the not-for-profit organization since 1979, will retire on August 31, 2025, at the end of TFANA's just-announced season of Shakespeare alongside plays by classical and contemporary playwrights.
Interview: 'From The Outside, It Looks Impossible': Director Tinuke Craig on Rep Theatre, Genre-Jumping and THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL at the RSC

Few directors are as comfortable helming a sparkly winter panto as they are a psychologically gruelling Sarah Kane play. But few directors have credits as varied as Tinuke Craig. A former Bayliss Associate at The Old Vic, she is now making her RSC directorial debut with Richard Sheridan’s The School for Scandal, a restoration comedy written in 1777. 247 years later – what can it tell us today?
Tickets On Sale Next Week for Michael Boyd's Magic & Illusion Spectacular MYSTIQUE State Theatre

Experience an enchanting evening with MYSTIQUE MAGIC & ILLUSION SPECTACULAR, featuring mind-bending illusions and captivating performances that will leave audiences spellbound.
Full Cast Set For the Royal Shakespeare Company's THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL

Full casting has been announced for the RSC's forthcoming production of The School for Scandal.  Directed by Tinuke Craig, the show runs in repertoire in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon between Saturday 2 July – Friday 6 September. 
CIRCUS OF ILLUSION to Play Sydney's State Theatre in March

Acclaimed illusionist and Australia's Got Talent finalist Michael Boyd is returning to Sydney's State Theatre for two shows only this March. Learn more here!
Tron Theatre Appoints New Artistic Director

Tron Theatre has announced the appointment of Jemima Levick to the role of Artistic Director, following the departure of Andy Arnold in November 2023 after an almost 16-year tenure.
Full Cast Revealed for RSC's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced casting for its forthcoming production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream which runs in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon between Tuesday 30 January and Saturday 30 March 2024.  
Forbes Masson to Star in JEKYLL & HYDE At The Lyceum

Forbes Masson has been cast in the Scottish premiere of Jekyll & Hyde at the Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh.
Michael Boyd Returns to The Palms at Crown With CIRCUS OF ILLUSION in January

Acclaimed illusionist and Australia’s Got Talent finalist Michael Boyd is returning to The Palms at Crown, Melbourne for four shows only on Friday 5 & Saturday 6 January. Learn more about the upcoming performances here!
West End Theatres Will Dim Lights To Honour Michael Boyd

Following the sad news of the passing of Michael Boyd, West End theatres will dim their lights for 2 minutes in his memory at 7pm on Tuesday 8 August. Michael was an incredibly respected force within the industry and will be remembered for his visionary tenure as Artistic Director of the RSC between 2002 – 2012.
Theatre Director and Former RSC Artistic Director Michael Boyd Dies

BroadwayWorld is saddened to learn that theatre director Michael Boyd has died from cancer. His career took him from training in Moscow to artistic directorships at the Tron Theatre Glasgow [1985-96] and the Royal Shakespeare Company, after joining as an Associate Director in 1996.
CABARET DE PARIS With Rhonda Burchmore Comes to State Theatre, Sydney in November

Be transported by the atmosphere and excitement of a Parisian-themed revue featuring Australia's leading lady, legendary showgirl singer, Rhonda Burchmore, who joins a parade of first-class entertainers and the daring beauty of exquisitely bejewelled dancers as stage spectacular Cabaret De Paris returns to the State Theatre for 3 shows only on Friday 3 & Saturday 4 November 2023.
Craig Ferguson Brings THE FANCY RASCAL TOUR To Overture This Fall

Get ready for a night of laughter with Craig Ferguson's The Fancy Rascal Tour in Overture Center's Capitol Theater on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m..
Shortlists for 2023 Critics' Awards for Theatre in Scotland Announced

Enough of Him - May Sumbwanyambe’s harrowing, but uplifting drama about the Joseph Knight, who freed himself from slavery through the Scottish courts, and Ramesh Meyyappan’s Love Beyond (Act of Remembrance), a poignant exploration of dementia in the deaf community - top the nominations lists.
Craig Ferguson Adds Second Show at the Boulder Theater in August

Comedy Works Entertainment welcomes CRAIG FERGUSON: THE FANCY RASCAL TOUR to Boulder Theater on Friday, August 18 at 7:30pm. Due to demand, a second show has been added on Thursday, August 17 at 7:30pm!
Book Review: MY SHAKESPEARE - A DIRECTOR'S JOURNEY THROUGH THE FIRST FOLIO by Greg Doran

Doran’s latest book gives a revelatory and revolutionary breakdown of the canon in a way that works for both the professional and uninitiated.
CABARET DE PARIS �" A BURLESQUE EXTRAVAGANZA Comes to Melbourne, Perth, and Canberra

Be transported by the atmosphere and excitement of a Parisian-themed revue with a parade of first-class entertainers and the daring beauty of exquisitely bejewelled dancers as stage Spectacular Cabaret De Paris visits Melbourne on 19 & 20 May, Perth on 8 June and Canberra on 15 & 16 June.
Craig Ferguson Comes to the Boulder Theatre

Craig Ferguson is a multiple Grammy nominated, Peabody and Emmy Award-winning actor, writer, producer, director and comedian with a diverse career that encompasses film, television and the stage. He is a New York Times bestselling author and has recorded numerous standup specials for Netflix, Epix, Comedy Central and Amazon.
Kelley Curran, Ben Horner, Elizabeth Stahlmann & More to Star in THE MISANTHROPE Reading at The Acting Company

The Acting Company has announced the cast for their reading of The Misanthrope. Molière's classic play is translated by Neil Bartlett and directed by The Acting Company's Producing Director Devin Brain.
MILES and THE FALL Will Be Released by Original Theatre and Riverside Studios

Original Theatre and Riverside Studios have announced the forthcoming release dates of Miles and The Fall - the next two play-readings in their Originals online on demand series, featuring the winners of Original Theatre Company's Originals Playwriting Award. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Michael Boyd been in?

Michael Boyd has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has Michael Boyd been in?

Michael Boyd has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Michael Boyd been nominated for?

Michael Boyd has been nominated for the following awards: Best Company Performance (Olivier Awards) for The Histories; Best Revival (Olivier Awards) for The Histories; and Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Henry VI Parts I, II and III and Richard III.

What awards has Michael Boyd won?

Michael Boyd has won the following awards: Best Company Performance (Olivier Awards) for The Histories, Best Revival (Olivier Awards) for The Histories, and Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Henry VI Parts I, II, and III and Richard III.

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