The Stage

Craymer, Humphries and Poliakoff recognised in Queen’s Birthday honours

Published Tuesday 19 June 2007 at 14:55 by Alistair Smith

Mamma Mia! producer Judy Craymer, comedian Barry Humphries, TV dramatist Stephen Poliakoff and Shakespeare academic Stanley Wells were among figures from the entertainment industry recognised in the Queen’s Birthday honours.

Craymer received an OBE, while Humphries, Poliakoff and Wells were all honoured with CBEs. Craymer commented: “This is one of the most exciting things to have happened to me in my professional life. Obviously I’m delighted. You never think you will be chosen and it is just wonderful to receive such recognition. It’s a real honour.

“I adore my work and the joy that theatre brings to audiences. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by the most amazingly talented team who believed in Mamma Mia! from the beginning. None of us, least of all me, would have assumed the extraordinary impact this musical has had on the music and entertainment industry worldwide.”

Other leading figures from the sector receiving CBEs were Glastonbury Festival organiser Michael Eavis, Skillset chair Clive Jones and film director Horace Ove. Meanwhile, those recognised with OBEs included scriptwriters Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, singer Joe Cocker, Ulster Orchestra chair Tom Collins, former Arts Council England executive director of arts Kim Evans, actor Peter Sallis, actress Sylvia Syms, opera singer Rosalind Plowright, opera tenor Stuart Burrows, TV actress and Talawa founder Carmen Munro, Music and The Deaf founder Dr JPV Whittaker and Judith Mellor - for her services to the arts in Northampton.

Meanwhile, Scottish entertainer Johnnie Beattie, South Asian Arts chair Vinod Desai, Royal Academy and Royal College of Music Professor of Paino Ruth Nye, Leicester College of Performing Arts founder Ann Oliver and former Theatre Museum curator Sarah Woodcock have all been awarded MBEs.