My Shakespeare

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This book chronicles the personal and professional journey of Greg Doran, who served as Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company from 2012 to 2022. Renowned as "one of the great Shakespearians of his generation" (Sunday Times), Doran has directed or produced all plays in Shakespeare's First Folio, achieving this milestone during the 400th anniversary of its publication. Each chapter focuses on a different play, blending autobiographical insights with the history of the RSC and key collaborations with notable actors like Judi Dench, David Tennant, and Patrick Stewart, as well as influential figures such as Cicely Berry and John Barton. The book features 16 pages of striking stills from RSC productions. Doran shares compelling anecdotes, such as how the initially daunting Henry VIII became a turning point in his career, the impact of 9/11 during a performance of King John, and a supporter’s bequest of their skull for Yorick in Hamlet. He also recounts how meeting Nelson Mandela inspired Julius Caesar, the introduction of Falstaff to China, and the influence of arachnophobia on Macbeth. This account captures the excitement, challenges, and discoveries of working on Shakespeare’s masterpieces, offering an intimate look into the life and artistry of this exceptional director.