Cheek by Jowl's artistic director Declan Donnellan is to be awarded the Golden Lion of Venice for lifetime achievement by the board of La Biennale di Venezia at this year's Biennale on 29 July.
Donnellan, who had Irish parents but grew up in London, formed Cheek by Jowl with his partner Nick Ormerod in 1981 and has directed more than 30 productions for the company. His production of Ubu Roi was performed at La Fenice Opera House as part of the 42nd International Biennale.
Donnellan was made a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for his work in France and in 2009 he shared the Charlemagne award with Craig Venter and Desmond Tutu.
His book The Actor and the Target, originally published in Russian in 2001, has appeared in 15 languages.