IT's a long way from the Swan Theatre to Broadway but a former Worcester man has made the journey in style after winning the New York stage's equivalent of an Oscar.

John Doyle, who will be remembered by many as the artistic director of the Swan Theatre between 1982 and 1985, has picked up a Tony award for best direction of a musical following his outstanding production of Sweeney Todd.

Chris Jaeger, current director of the Swan and Huntingdon Hall, said it was one of the best pieces of theatre he had seen.

He added: "I saw the production when it was in London and it was stunning. We are all so amazingly proud at the Swan to think that somebody from here is now the toast of New York."

Originally from Scotland Mr Doyle, who became a patron of the Swan in February 2005, graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy and then studied direction at the University of Georgia.

He came to Worcester as associate director in 1980 and after three years of hard work and sold-out shows, left for pastures new.

In April 1985, wellwishers crowded in to the Swan to present him with a hi-fi system and bound copies of show programmes.

He went on to enjoy successful stints at the Cheltenham and Liverpool Everyman Theatres, as well as Theatre Royal in York.

Frank Welbourne, a member of the Swan Theatre Amateur Company, was directed by Mr Doyle in Crown Matrimonial, a play about the abdication of King Edward VIII in 1937 and the succession of King George VI.

He said that the director would stay in many peopple's memories for his impressive ability to bring people together.

He said: "He had a way of integrating the professional and amateur companies so that it really felt like a community and he had a great rapport with that community."

Mr Welbourne also remembered Mr Doyle's involvement with the Sara Knight Studio.

He said: "It was a small rehearsal room and he was really the instigator in making it a studio. We have continued to use it and put on productions there three times a year."