Also honored are the National's executive director Nick Starr, actors Rowan Atkinson (recently in the West End in Quartermaine's Terms) and Claire Bloom, and theatre director Michael Attenborough (soon to step down as artistic director of London's Almeida Theatre), all of whom receive CBE's (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). MBE's (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) have been awarded to actor, playwright and director David Ward and comedian Rob Brydon (who made his West End debut in A Chorus of Disapproval in 2012).
In a press statement, Howard Panter commented of his knighthood, "It a source of great pride that Britain continues to recognise those within our world-renowned creative industries, and in particular in theatre. I also believe the honour is in part a recognition of a great British success story, ATG."
