A number of London theatre’s brightest stars received royal accolades in the Queen’s birthday honours list this weekend, including actor Emma Thompson, director Marianne Elliott and producer Caro Newling.
Thompson, who was awarded the highest honour in the form of a Damehood for her services to drama, most recently appeared in the West End at the London Coliseum in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street in 2015. Other performers recognised included actor and comedian Gary Wilmot, who will return to the London Palladium pantomime in December, who received an MBE, as well as OBE recipients Keira Knightley and Tom Hardy, and actress Sarah Gordy, whose work saw her awarded an MBE for Services to the Arts and People with Disabilities.
Meanwhile Elliott, whose string of spectacular theatre hits culminated in 11 Tony Award nominations (and 3 wins) for the Broadway transfer of Angels In America this weekend, was recognised for services to theatre with an OBE. Elliott’s next production will be George Furth and Stephen Sondheim’s musical comedy, Company, opening at Gielgud Theatre on 26 September.
Producer Newling, who is currently Vice President of the Society of London Theatre, was awarded an OBE. Caro’s distinguished career has seen her establish and run the Donmar Warehouse with director Sam Mendes, bringing a number of acclaimed productions to the London stage including the likes of The Ferryman, This House, Shrek The Musical and Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.
Elsewhere, the former Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Stratford East, Kerry Michael was appointed an MBE, while National Youth Theatre chief executive Paul Roseby received an OBE.
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