The Stage

Royle Family’s Liz Smith and director Katie Mitchell named in New Year Honours

Published Wednesday 31 December 2008 at 11:15 by Matthew Hemley

Controversial theatre director Katie Mitchell has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours list.

Mitchell, an associate director at the National Theatre who has divided critical opinion with her radical reinterpretations of classical works, is recognised for her services to drama. Her credis at the National include Strindberg’s Dream Play, Chekhov’s The Seagull, an adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s The Waves, and Martin Crimp’s Attempts on Her Life.

Meanwhile, Royle Family actress Liz Smith has been appointed an MBE.

The veteran actress, best known for playing Nana in the comedy, is also recognised for her services to drama.

Elsewhere, actor Michael Sheen, who appeared as David Frost in the West End production of Peter Morgan’s Frost/Nixon and who has reprised the role for a film version of the play, has received an OBE in recognition of his services to drama.

The 39-year-old actor also appeared in the film The Queen as Tony Blair.

Actor Earl Cameron, who appeared in a number of science fiction dramas in the sixties, including Doctor Who and The Prisoner, has been appointed a CBE, alongside jazz musician Courtney Pine and singer Robert Plant.

Jenny Abramsky, the former head of the BBC’s audio and music operation, has been made a dame in the New Year Honours List.

Abramsky resigned earlier this year to take the post of chairwoman of the Heritage Lottery Fund and the National Heritage Memorial Fund after almost 40 years with the Corporation.