Theatrical honours in the 2013 New Year Honours List

Theatrical hounours in the 2013 New Year Honours list include OBE's for actors Adrian Lester and Ewan McGregor, Guardian theatre critic Michael Billington and theatre producer and Nimax chief executive Nica Burns. Other honours include actress Siobhan Redmond (MBE); choreographer Arlene Phillips (CBE). Deborah Bestwick, director of The Ovalhouse, a fringe venue in south London, receives an MBE for services to drama. Ms Patricia Cumper (MBE) playwright and artistic Director, Talawa Theatre Company, for services to Black British Theatre.

Adrian Lester London stage credits include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at the Novello Theatre in 2009, Henry V at the Olivier, NT in 2003. His tv credits include BBC show Hustle. Ewan McGregor is recognised for his services to both drama and charity. He is an ambassador for Unicef. His film credits include Moulin Rouge, Trainspotting, and the Star Wars prequel The Phantom Menace. London stage credits include Othello at the Donmar Warehouse in 2007. Siobhan Redmond London stage credits include "Prince of Homburg" at the Donmar Warehouse in 2010 and "Perfect Days" at the Vaudeville Theatre in 1999. Her many TV credits include Lucy McGinty in Bulman (1985-1987), Maureen Connell in Between the Lines (1992-1994), Shona Spurtle in the anarchic Scottish sitcom The High Life (1994-1995), Madame Sin in In The Red BBC TV (1998), Janice Taylor in Holby City (2000-2002), Sharon in The Smoking Room (2004-2005).

CBE - Commander of the Order of the British Empire

OBE - Officer of the Order of the British Empire

MBE - Member of the Order of the British Empire