Great British Theatres Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award and Host

Theatres Trust is delighted to unveil the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award and the host for the Great British Theatres Awards ceremony.

Great British Theatres Lifetime Achievement Award

We are thrilled that the actor Julie Hesmondhalgh is the recipient of the inaugural Great British Theatres Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her of her work advocating for the importance of local theatres.

Julie has used her high profile as one of the nation’s most beloved performers to champion inclusive and equitable access to theatre, especially for working class communities traditionally under-served by the arts. She has also been a passionate campaigner on behalf of important community theatres, Oldham Coliseum and Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre and Theatre, helping to raise their profiles when their futures were under threat.

Joshua McTaggart, CEO of Theatres Trust, comments “The concept for the Lifetime Achievement Award is to recognise someone who shares Theatres Trust’s belief that everyone should have access to theatre and live performance no matter where they live or what their background is. There is no one in the public eye who embodies this spirit more than Julie Hesmondhalgh. Julie has used her platform as one of the country’s most beloved actors to bang the drum for inclusive and equitable access to the performing arts and champion important community theatres. We are thrilled that she is going to accept this award.”

Great British Theatres Awards Ceremony Host

We are also excited to share the news that powerhouse performer Marisha Wallace is our host for the Great British Theatres Awards ceremony on Monday 2 November at Central Hall Westminster.

Twice nominated for an Olivier Award, Marisha’s acclaimed credits include Guys and Dolls; Oklahoma!; Dreamgirls; Waitress; Hairspray; Cabaret; and Something Rotten!. Having performed on stages across the UK and the USA, from regional venues to the West End and Broadway, she brings a firsthand appreciation of the varied stages and theatre communities these awards celebrate.

Join us for an evening of celebration

We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Central Hall Westminster on Monday 2 November for the awards ceremony. As well as Marisha Wallace as host, we will have a stellar line-up of celebrity presenters. Julie Hesmondhalgh will receive her Lifetime Achievement Award, alongside the winners of the other awards. We will also be crowning one theatre as Great British Theatres Theatre of the Year 2026.

Book your place at the ceremony here.

Photo credits: Marisha Wallace by Yellow Belly Photography, Julia Hesmonhaligh by James Melia