Outgoing Leicester Curve artistic director Paul Kerryson has been awarded an MBE in the new year honours list.
Kerryson, artistic director of Leicester Theatre Trust since 1991 at the city’s Haymarket as well as Curve, will receive the award for services to theatre in Leicester and Leicestershire.
He said, “I’m truly honoured and thrilled. Of course it has been my privilege to have worked alongside so many talented people and have the continuing support of our wonderful audiences over many years.
“It was a great occasion for everyone when the Queen officially opened our fabulous Curve in 2008 and now to see the theatre flourish, thrive and connect with so many people has been the best experience that I could have wished for. I feel very blessed.”
Curve chief executive Fiona Allan added, “Paul was a driving force behind the creation of Curve and his artistic vision has been instrumental in the venue’s success. The contribution he’s made to theatre and to Leicester has been phenomenal and this is a very fitting tribute to his hard work and dedication.”
This latest honour marks the end of a hugely successful year for Kerryson. In October he received the UK Theatre award for outstanding contribution to British theatre. Curve also renamed its largest rehearsal room the Paul Kerryson Rehearsal Room in his honour and his current production of The Sound of Music has already broken box office records.
He has now stepped down from Curve but will return to the theatre in September to open a production of Hairspray before a UK tour.
As previously announced, Nikolai Foster is to replace Kerryson.