Thelma Holt

Thelma Holt (born 4 January 1932) is a British West End producer and former actress. She is described as "one of the most influential" producers in the UK industry, and has been honored with both an Order of the British Empire (UK) and an Order of the Rising Sun (Japan, 2004).

In 2018, she received the Sam Wanamaker Award from Shakespeare's Globe to celebrate work "which has increased the understanding and enjoyment of Shakespeare." She was known as a close collaborator and champion of Japanese director Yukio Ninagawa from 1987 until his death in 2016.

Early life Holt was born in Barton-on-Irwell, Lancashire, to English electrical engineer Peter David Holt and Irish-born Eleanor Finnagh Doyle. She grew up Catholic. Her father was killed in an air raid during World War II, leaving her mother to raise her and her older sister Elizabeth. After attending St Anne's School for Girls, she trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) from 1952 to 1954.

Career Graduating from RADA, Holt enjoyed a fairly successful career as an actress and understudied her friend Vanessa Redgrave. She is also an Associate Producer at the Royal Shakespeare Company and a patron of the Oxford University Dramatic Society (OUDS).

She then produced International 89, this time festuring Tango Varsoviano by Teatro del Sur (Buenos Aires), Grapes of Wrath by the Steppenwolf Theatre Company (Chicago), Uncle Vanya from the Moscow Art Theatre and Suicide for Love by the Ninagawa Theatre Company. Tony Award (with Bill Kenwright) – Best Revival (1996) (A Doll's House) CBE – Queen's Birthday Honours List (1994) Distinguished Friend of Oxford University (2006) Theatrical Management Association's Special Award for Individual Achievement (2006) The Sam Wanamaker Award, Shakespeare's Globe (2018)

Positions held Yvonne Arnaud Theatre – Chairman (2002 to 2005) subsequently associate director.

Commonwealth honours Commonwealth honours

Country Date Appointment Post-nominal letters 1994Present Commander of the Order of the British Empire CBE

Foreign honours Foreign honours

Country Date Appointment Post-nominal letters 2004Present Order of the Rising Sun (Gold Rays with Rosette)

Scholastic

Chancellor, visitor, governor, rector and fellowships

Honorary Degrees Honorary degrees

Location Date School Degree Gave Commencement Address 1998 Open University Master of Arts (MA) 1994 Middlesex University Doctorate 2003 University of East Anglia Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) 2010 University of Plymouth Doctor of Arts (D.Arts)