New Globe artistic director named

Dromgoole, artistic director of the Oxford Stage Company, will begin programming the 2006 season immediately.

"I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dominic Dromgoole as the new artistic director of Shakespeare's Globe," said Globe chief executive Peter Kyle. "I know Dominic to be a wholly committed man of the theatre, with a passion for Shakespeare and a strong desire to engage with what he has described as 'the maverick energy' of the Globe. We look forward to Dominic's own maverick energy being brought to bear on our 2006 theatre season and to welcoming him when he formally takes up the post at the end of the year."

Dromgoole joined the Oxford Stage Company in 1998, following a brief period as new plays director for the Old Vic in 1997. Prior to that he ran the Bush Theatre in London until 1996 – starting there in 1990, aged 26.

Michael Perry, chairman of the Shakespeare Globe Trust, said: "The Globe Theatre has enjoyed enormous success over the past ten years under the inspirational leadership of Mark Rylance. We now look forward to welcoming Dominic Dromgoole and have every confidence that he will lead the Globe to ever greater heights."