Jenni Murray to host first ever Tonic Awards

Jenni Murray is to present the inaugural Tonic Awards this year.

The Tonic Awards will recognise the achievements of women 'who are changing the face of the theatre industry' and will be held in March.

Murray said: "I'm really looking forward to the awards and supporting a brilliant initiative which honours women's work in my favourite artistic endeavour – the theatre."

Woman's Hour presenter Murray will host the ceremony at the Mayfair Hotel on 29 March. The event will celebrate game-changing women who are redefining the performing arts and will be attended by senior figures from across theatre.

Lucy Kerbel, director of Tonic Theatre said: "We wanted to create the awards so that the amazing contributions of women to theatre are being highlighted publicly – not just the doom and gloom stories about underrepresentation – and so that younger women in particular have visible role models to aspire to."

WhatsOnStage CEO Sita McIntosh, who is chair of Tonic's board of trustees and is spearheading the awards, commented: "Tonic spends a great deal of time focussed on challenging the lack of women at senior level in the industry, but we also think it's important to celebrate the success stories."

Tonic Theatre was set up in 2011 to support the theatre industry to try to achieve greater gender equality in its workforces and repertoires. Tonic has worked with companies including the National Theatre and the RSC.

Watch our Tonic Celebrates interview with Emma Rice