A prestigious theatre award for the best play of the year has been renamed in honour of Michael Billington, the Guardian’s chief theatre critic. Billington, who is stepping down this month after 48 years in the role, said he was “unbelievably chuffed and deeply flattered” that the prize at the annual Critics’ Circle Theatre awards now bears his name. Billington is a trustee of the Critics’ Circle and there are more than 100 members of its drama section. The Critics’ Circle Theatre awards will take place on 11 February at the Prince of Wales theatre in the West End in London. Arifa Akbar succeeds him as chief theatre critic in the new year.

Source: The Guardian December 19, 2019 07:52 UTC