Theatres Trust has announced that acclaimed actor Julie Hesmondhalgh will receive the Great British Theatres Lifetime Achievement Award 2026 as part of the organisation’s new Great British Theatres Awards, launched during its 50th anniversary year.
Alongside the honour for Hesmondhalgh, West End and Broadway star Marisha Wallace has been revealed as host of the awards ceremony, which takes place at Central Hall Westminster on Monday 2 November 2026.
The award recognises Hesmondhalgh’s contribution to theatre both on and off the stage, celebrating her advocacy for regional theatres, community arts organisations and greater access to live performance.
Hesmondhalgh played a prominent role in the campaign to save Oldham Coliseum following its closure and now serves as Guest Curator as the venue enters a new chapter. She has also publicly supported efforts to reopen Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre and Theatre.
Beyond her acting career, Hesmondhalgh has championed socially engaged theatre through her work with Manchester’s Take Back Theatre Collective, RTYDS’s Fair Play programme and the charity Arts Emergency.
Joshua McTaggart, CEO of Theatres Trust, said: “The concept for the Lifetime Achievement Award is to recognise someone who shares Theatres Trust’s belief that everyone should have access to theatre and live performance no matter where they live or what their background is. There is no one in the public eye who embodies this spirit more than Julie Hesmondhalgh. Julie has used her platform as one of the country’s most beloved actors to bang the drum for inclusive and equitable access to the performing arts and champion important community theatres. We are thrilled that she is going to accept this award.”
Wallace will host the ceremony, bringing experience from a career spanning stages across the UK and USA. Her theatre credits include Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma!, Dreamgirls, Waitress, Hairspray, Cabaret and Something Rotten!.
The Great British Theatres Awards will celebrate theatres across the UK through ten open categories, including Great New Build, Great Renovation, Great Green Theatre and Great Community Connection, alongside judges’ awards for Great British Theatre 2026 and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
More information can be found here.
