Theatrical honours in the 2011 New Year Honours List

Theatrical hounours in the New Year Honours list include: Actors Sheila Hancock and David Suchet and director Howard Davies become CBEs. Harriet Walter is appointed a dame. Herbert Kretzmer, who wrote the lyrics for Les Miserables, is made an OBE.

Actor David Suchet aged 64, is honoured with a CBE. He is most famous for his TV role as Agatha Christie's 'Poirot'. His London stage credits include "All My Sons" at the Apollo in 2010; "Complicit" at the Old Vic in 2009; "The Last Confession" at the Haymarket in 2007; "Once in a Lifetime" at the Olivier, NT in 2005; "Man and Boy" at the Duchess in 2005;"Amadeus" at the Old Vic in 1998;"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" at the Aldwych in 1997; "What a Performance" at the Queens in 1994.

Actress Sheila Hancock aged 77, is honoured with a CBE. Her London stage credits include "Sister Act" at the London Palladium in 2009/10; "The Birthday Party" at the Lyric Hammersmith in 2008; Cabaret" at the Lyric in 2006; "The Anniversary" at the Garrick in 2005;"Under the Blue Sky" at the Royal Court Upstairs in 2000; "Vassa" at the Albery in 1999; "Harry and Me" at the Royal Court Downstairs in 1996.

Actress Harriet Walter aged 60, is appointed a dame. Her many London stage credits include "Women Beware Women" at the Cottesloe, NT in 2010; "Antony & Cleopatra" for the RSC at the Novello in 2007; "Mary Stuart" at the Donmar Warehouse & Apollo in 2005; "Dinner" at the National Theatre in 2002 and Wyndham's in 2003; "Much Ado About Nothing" at the Haymarket in 2002; "Life x 3" at the National Theatre in 2000 and Old Vic in 2001; "The Royal Family" at the Haymarket in 2001; "Macbeth" at the Young Vic in 2000; "Old Times" at the Wyndham's in 1995; "The Children's Hour" at the National Theatre in 1994

Lyricist Herbert Kretzmer aged 75, is honoured with a OBE. He wrote the Lyrics for Les Miserables