The King’s Birthday Honours have been announced, with a number of West End figures included in the list.
Award-winning actor Imelda Staunton (Gypsy, Sweeney Todd, Follies) has been made a Dame. The Crown and Harry Potter star is about to lead the West End cast of a big-budget revival of Jerry Herman’s Hello, Dolly! at the London Palladium this summer.
Dame Imelda Staunton said in a statement:
“I am really thrilled to be the recipient of this honour. I feel genuinely humbled to be recognised on the same level as the amazing actresses, all the great Dames, who have led the way for so many of us. It is their talent, dedication, wit and energy that have paved the way for us all and have set the standards to which we all aspire. I am also delighted that this honour recognises my support for charity as well as my work as an actress. I feel privileged to be able to use the success I have achieved to help others who find themselves in difficulty and to offer support to all the wonderful charities and charity workers who strive so hard on behalf of others. I feel that this honour also recognises the importance of the arts in this country. Theatre, film and television are essential to our well-being, stand at the heart of our culture and are admired throughout the world. I am proud to play my part in this important industry”.
Imelda Staunton joins a select troupe of acting Dames that include Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Eileen Atkins, Julie Andrews, Joan Plowright, Sian Phillips, Vanessa Redgrave, Kristin Scott Thomas, Sheila Hancock, Penelope Keith, Harriet Walter, Julie Walters, Penelope Wilton, Maureen Lipman, Emma Thompson, Patricia Routledge, and Joanna Lumley.
Actors also honoured in the list include Rose Ayling Ellis with an MBE for voluntary services to the Deaf Community. The former EastEnders star won the 2023 season of Strictly Come Dancing, and last year starred in As You Like It at @sohoplace theatre.
Alex Jennings is honoured with a CBE for services to Drama. Jennings has enjoyed a long and successful career on stage and screen including winning three Olivier Awards.
Also Shobna Gulati, former Coronation Street star and stage actor in shows including Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, was honoured with an NBE for services to the Cultural Industries.
Other West End luminaries honoured include Kenny Wax, the producer of global hit show Six The Musical, which is now playing at the Vaudeville Theatre in London, and countless other shows. Wax, who was made a MBE, has also served as President of the Society of London Theatre and Chair of the Theatre Development Trust.
Nimax Theatres owner and West End producer Nica Burns was honoured with a CBE for services to theatre. Her Nimax group owns or operates 7 West End venuesincluding the Palace, Vaudeville, Garrick, Apollo and Lyrics theatres. She also runs new Central London venue @sohoplace, the first new West End theatre for 50 years.
Other people honoured from the worlds of theatre and the arts include choreographer Wayne McGregor, the artistic director of Studio Wayne McGregor and resident choreographer of the Royal Ballet, who has been knighted.
Sir Wayne McGregor CBE said in a statement:
“I am very honoured to be offered a knighthood and grateful to all of the incredible people who have nurtured me for over 33 years in the art form I love – dance. Building a career in the arts, creative thinkers make a vital and significant contribution to public life and to the nation’s economy whilst experimenting, risk-taking and challenging convention. Recognising that the arts matter, this honour reminds us that every young person given access to culture and creative expression has the opportunity to fly.”
Other awards have gone to artist Tracey Emin, who becomes a Dame; writer Monica Ali receives a CBE; composer and conductor John Rutter is also knighted; Emma Dagnes, Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust CEO, has been awarded an OBE in recognition of her services to heritage; former Channel 4 and Sky exec Dawn Airey, who is now chair of the National Youth Theatre, receives a CBE; children’s laureate Joseph Coelho becomes an OBE; and Sharon Lomas, CEO of the The Royal Theatrical Fund, becomes an MBE for services to the Performing Arts.
Book tickets to see Dame Imelda Staunton in HELLO, DOLLY! at the London Palladium
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