“All of us at the Belgrade Theatre are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our former Associate Director, Michael Boyd. He made a huge impact here in the early 1980s with landmark productions of Risky City and the Coventry Mystery Plays. His passionate belief in the power of theatre and particularly in the Belgrade’s pioneering work in Theatre in Education, remains an inspiration.
“We’re also incredibly sad to hear the terrible news of Abdul Shayek’s passing. We send our love and best wishes to his family and friends and to everyone at Tara Arts.” comments the Belgrade’s CEO, Laura Elliot, and Creative Director, Corey Campbell.
Our Interim Chair, Alan Pollock, has also commented, “Michael Boyd – one of the most humane and influential directors of his generation – began his professional career at the Belgrade, where his 1981 production of Risky City (the year of Ghost Town) attracted national attention, and is still remembered vividly by many in Coventry. His Histories at the RSC were era-defining, and he will be much missed by all for whom he was an inspiration and a mentor.”