Imelda Staunton made a dame in King's birthday honours

Actor Imelda Staunton has been appointed a dame in King Charles III’s second birthday honours, in which choreographer Wayne McGregor and producer Nica Burns were also among those recognised. 

Staunton, renowned for theatre work including Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at the Harold Pinter Theatre, received the honour for her services to drama and charity ahead of her turn in Hello, Dolly! opening at the London Palladium in July. 

Other actors to receive honours include three-time Olivier award winner Alex Jennings, who received a CBE, and Shobna Gulati, who was awarded an MBE.

Rose Ayling-Ellis, who last year won The Stage Debut Award for best West End debut for her performance in As You Like It at @sohoplace, was also appointed MBE for her services to the deaf community.

Meanwhile McGregor, the Royal Ballet’s resident choreographer and artistic director of Studio Wayne McGregor, receives a knighthood for services to dance, with Britten Pears Arts chief executive Roger Wright also knighted for services to music. 

McGregor said he was "honoured" to receive a knighthood, adding: "Creative thinkers make a vital and significant contribution to public life and to the nation’s economy while experimenting, risk taking and challenging convention. Recognising that the arts matter, this honour reminds us that every young person given access to culture and creative expression has the opportunity to fly."

The King’s second birthday honours list also sees Nimax Theatres co-founder Burns rise to the higher rank of CBE, having received an OBE in 2013.

Fellow producer and former SOLT president Kenny Wax was appointed MBE, alongside Deafinitely Theatre founder Paula Garfield and Chichester Festival Theatre’s director of learning, education and participation Dale Rooks. Sharon Lomas, chief executive of the Royal Theatrical Fund was also made an MBE, for services to performing arts.

National Youth Theatre chair Dawn Airey received a CBE, which NYT’s chief executive and artistic director Paul Roseby said recognised Airey’s "huge personal investment" in "supporting under-resourced, under-represented and undervalued people". 

In addition, National Theatre of Scotland chair Jane Spiers, former Newcastle Theatre royal boss Philip Bernays and Royal Variety Charity chair Giles Cooper were among those honoured with OBEs.  

Other arts figures recognised in the King’s second birthday honours include broadcaster Alan Yentob, Centre Stage Company director Isabella Thomson and writer, filmmaker and businesswoman Hannah Rothschild, who was made a dame alongside Staunton for her contribution to philanthropy in the arts, culture and charity sectors.