When Gregory Doran stepped down as artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company last year, he had – over the course of an illustrious career – directed 35 of the 36 plays in Shakespeare’s First Folio. Those productions were often led by theatrical megastars but he will now mount a student production of the remaining play, The Two Gentlemen of Verona.
Doran is a visiting professor of contemporary theatre at Oxford University, whose students were invited to audition by self-taping a monologue last year, with no previous experience of Shakespeare deemed necessary. There will be six performances of the comedy, which is one of Shakespeare’s earliest and least revived plays, from 15-18 May at Oxford Playhouse.
“Two Gents explores the challenges of young people setting out in the world – leaving home, trying to make their way, falling in love, making mistakes,” said Doran. “It is vital that how the production looks and sounds and feels reflects that experience.” The production will be set in the modern day.
The Cameron Mackintosh visiting professorship, attached to St Catherine’s College, Oxford, was established in 1990 through a gift from the producer of his musicals including Cats, Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera. Stephen Sondheim was the first to hold the role, which has also been taken by Arthur Miller, Diana Rigg and Adjoa Andoh. Doran is the first to direct a student production as part of his tenure.
Mike Tweddle, artistic director and CEO of Oxford Playhouse, said: “All our team are proud to co-produce with Oxford University students who bring inspirational ideas and talent to our theatre. Through this model, each term our different departments collaborate with student creatives and producers to support them in realising their ambitions.”
Doran joined the RSC as an actor in 1987 and became its artistic director in 2012. The following year he directed David Tennant in Richard II. On many occasions he collaborated with his late husband, Antony Sher. Doran’s 50th production for the company was Cymbeline in 2023. His book My Shakespeare: A Director’s Journey Through the First Folio was published last year.
