Theatre News

Bonham Carter & Harewood Named in New Year Honours

Actors Helena Bonham Carter and David Harewood are among those recognised in the 2012 New Year Honours list.

Bonham Carter, star of films including Fight Club, Sweeney Todd and The King’s Speech, is awarded a CBE for services to drama, while Harewood, a veteran of the Royal Shakespeare Company whose recent credits include The Mountaintop, receives an MBE.

Bonham Carter dedicated the honour to her father Raymond, who died in 2004. “I am thrilled, though not sure that I deserve it” she said, “I always thought my father deserved a medal for facing 25 years of chronic disability with quiet daily heroism so I am delighted to accept such a wonderful honour in his memory.”

Elsewhere, Lyndie Wright, co-founder of the Little Angel puppet theatre, receives an MBE for services to the craft of puppetry. And Marcus Davey, chief executive and artistic director of the Roundhouse in Camden is made an OBE.

Antonio Pappano, music director of the Royal Opera House, receives a knighthood, as does Paul Ruddock, a hedge fund manager and philanthropist who has donated generously to the arts in recent years.

Veteran stage and screen entertainer Ronnie Corbett, best known for his collaborations with comedy partner Ronnie Barker, becomes a CBE for services to entertainment.

Other theatre and arts names making the list this year include: Welsh poet and playwright Dannie Abse (CBE); artistic director of Merseyside Dance Initiative Karen Gallagher (MBE); ballet dancer and teacher Julia Farron (OBE); former Royal Academy of Dance director Joan White (CBE); and founder and publisher of Edinburgh’s The List magazine, Robin Hodge (OBE).