“Three years ago the Royal Shakespeare Company was in trouble. For all the aura surrounding its name, the company was in debt, its plan to replace its 1930’s theater faced stiff opposition, it was without a London home, and its shows were often unexciting. Further, its long-time artistic director, Adrian Noble, stepped down amid a storm of criticism. It was hardly an auspicious moment for Michael Boyd to take over. Yet, in a surprisingly short time, Mr. Boyd has turned things around. And as a measure of the company’s revived self-confidence, it is preparing to start its biggest project ever: a yearlong festival of Shakespeare’s complete works, staged by its own directors and actors as well as by guest troupes from as far afield as India and Brazil.”