Speaking to Mark Lawson on Front Row this evening Gregory Doran, who will replace Michael Boyd as artistic director at the Royal Shakespeare Company, said he will put Shakespeare at the heart of what he does.

"Shakespeare is at the centre of what we do, he is our house playwright, that’s my passion and that’s what I hope to re-engage the company with," he said on the BBC radio station's cultural programme.

It also means the 'company' approach will remain key. Doran pointed out that many of the UK's classic actors such as Fiona Shaw, Mark Rylance and Simon Russell Beale  have "flexed their muscles and honed their craft" in Stratford, however he added that there won't be any star turns "chipping in".

"My appointment means a commitment to the discipline of Shakespeare. It is hard, it is a craft and you have to work at it," he says.

He name checked some of those who he's lured back to company in recent years, such as Patrick Stewart and David Tennant, but it is clear that he'll be looking for a long term commitment from his actors regardless of their star power.

He also said a permanent home in London remains an important goal as does re-opening The Other Place in Stratford however, establishing its raison d'etre is important: "You can't just open a black box studio space."

You can listen to the full interview on the Front Row podcast which is available to download from the BBC website.