Michael Boyd has been unveiled as the new artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).

He will replace Adrian Noble who steps down from his position at the head of the theatre company in March 2003.

He will make his own decisions on how to carry the company forward

Ian Brown, West Yorkshire Playhouse

Belfast-born Boyd, an associate director of the RSC since 1996, won an Olivier Award for his production of Henry VI and has most recently been directing at London's Roundhouse Theatre.

The RSC has been enveloped in controversy recently, over plans to knock down its home in Stratford-upon-Avon to build a new theatre.

It is not yet known if Boyd will press on with the plans or unveil a new vision for the company.

He once said of change at the RSC: "Without putting a little Semtex under an organisation like this, you go nowhere. Subtle use of Semtex is not a bad thing."

'Distinctive'

Outgoing director Adrian Noble praised what he called Boyd's "flair, intellectual rigour, and real powers of leadership".

Adrian Noble recently directed Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

"Michael Boyd is one of the most distinctive and original Shakespearean directors in the country," he added.

Ian Brown, artistic director of the West Yorkshire Playhouse, told BBC News Online that the appointment was "a very exciting decision".

"I think the RSC has released a passion in him which will pay great dividends in future.

"He is his own person - and will make his own decisions on how to carry the company forward."

'Reputation'

But Daily Mail theatre critic Michael Coveney was cautious about the appointment of Mr Boyd.

"He hasn't got the reputation on the big stage, he's not the brilliant communicator, he's not going to give a great lift unless he changes his spots overnight," he told BBC News 24.

But he added: "He's very much admired within the company and I think they will rally behind him so it's all very much up for grabs."

Others within the industry see Mr Boyd's appointment as a bold decision because he is respected as a creative director and is perceived as willing to give new talent a chance.

A former staff member at the RSC told BBC News Online that Mr Boyd was the "people's choice".

He is also capable of attracting and working with established actors such as Christopher Ecclestone and Iain Glen.

Opposition

Mr Noble has come in for fierce criticism from staff, actors and unions over the changes to the RSC.

There has been strong opposition to his decision to move from the Barbican Centre in the City of London, and the proposed regeneration of the company's Stratford-upon-Avon home.

Noble set he was quitting his post to "to seek new artistic challenges".

He recently scored a hit directing the West End musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.