In a press statement, she has commented, "I am delighted and honoured to be taking over the artistic direction of Shakespeare's Globe. Open to the elements, and to its audience, this unique and important space demands theatre that brims with passion, joy and humanity. Mindful of the extraordinary artists I follow, I will take custody of this incredible organisation with an open heart, fierce passion and excited mind."



Dromgoole, whom she follows, adds, "This is an excellent appointment, in keeping with the Globe’s traditions of boldness and adventure. Over many years, Emma has created at Kneehigh a body of work that shares the same principles of imagination, populism, wit and passion that have always been central to the Globe. Kneehigh have also pulled off the same happy trick of a fierce local attachment in Cornwall and a broad international reach, which is so important to the Globe, in Southwark and everywhere. I am sure that Emma will be a great complement to the Globe’s heterodox traditions, and also a major surprise."



Neil Constable, chief executive of the theatre since 2010, has also commented, "Emma has enjoyed exceptional success, both as the long-standing and inspirational joint Artistic Director of Kneehigh and as an independent director, producing and directing award-winning productions that are widely recognised to have an immediate connection with audiences and are seen all over the world. Her spirit and energy, her love of Shakespeare and her wholehearted and passionate response to the Globe's architecture and audiences make her a worthy candidate in what has been a widely sought-after role."

Rice's other productions for Kneehigh include The Red Shoes (for which she won the TMA Theatre Award for Best Director), The Wooden Frock, The Bacchae (2005 TMA Theatre Award winner for Best Touring Production), Cymbeline (in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company), A Matter of Life and Death (Royal National Theatre production in association with Kneehigh), Rapunzel (in association with Battersea Arts Centre), Don John (in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Bristol Old Vic), Midnight's Pumpkin, The Wild Bride and Steptoe and Son.

Other work includes Tanika Gupta's The Empress for the RSC, the West End production of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Oedipussy for Spymonkey, Wah! Wah! Girls for World Stages (Sadler's Wells, Theatre Royal Stratford East and Kneehigh), An Audience with Meow Meow (Berkeley Rep, California) and Rebecca (a David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers Production in association with Kneehigh), which is currently touring nationally. For more details on Shakespeare's Globe, visit ShakespearesGlobe.com