Picture: Mark Seliger
Several figures from the arts have been recognised in the New Year honours list, including performers Cynthia Erivo (MBE), Idris Elba (Knighthood) and Meera Syal (Damehood) along with lighting designer Paule Constable (OBE), CEO of The Lowry Julia Fawcett (CBE), Young Vic CEO and artistic director Nadia Fall (OBE) and Birmingham Hippodrome’s AD and CEO Jon Gilchrist (MBE).
Three-time Oscar nominee and Tony, Emmy and Grammy winner Erivo, recently seen in Wicked: For Good and soon to be seen in Kip Williams’ reimagining of Dracula in the West End, receives the MBE for services to music and drama. Erivo is also vice president of RADA.
She told the Press Association: “To be given this recognition to celebrate the work that I love to do within the arts, specifically music and drama, is an honour I could never have thought would happen. I hope it shows that I care deeply about the work and will continue to do so to the best of my abilities.”
Under Gilchrist’s leadership and five-year strategic plan, Birmingham Hippodrome has launched the UK’s first in-house department for New Musical Theatre (producing Hot Mess, Musical Theatre Review’s Best Musical Award winner at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe) and a New Work & Artist Development department, enabling thousands of artists to create work in the West Midlands.
Catherine Mallyon, chair of Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust, said: “We are thrilled for Jon. He is renowned for his generosity of spirit in championing the cultural sector. He is a tireless advocate, ambitious for everything theatre and the arts can contribute to everyone’s quality of life, and deeply committed to the development of creative talent.”
In addition, Emma D’Souza, Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre’s executive director of audience and commercial, and the Olivier Awards’ executive producer, has been appointed MBE for her service to British theatre.
Plus the National Theatre’s head of technical qualifications, Kath Geraghty, is to receive the MBE for services to education and skills.
Others named in the list include actors Warwick Davis (OBE), Matt Lucas (OBE) and Sally Lindsay (MBE); comedian Bill Bailey (MBE); presenter, producer and novelist Richard Osman (OBE); mezzo-soprano Alice Coote (CBE); Ballet Black founder and AD Cassa Pancho (OBE); BYMT chair Simon Millson (OBE); and producer, theatre consultant and former executive director of Chichester Festival Theatre, Rachel Tackley (MBE).
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.