Pragnell Shakespeare Birthday Award awarded to Patsy

This year’s Pragnell Shakespeare Birthday Award was awarded to Patsy Rodenburg OBE. The prize honours individuals whose work has deepened understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of Shakespeare, with previous recipients including Sir Kenneth Branagh, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Patrick Stewart.

One of the world’s most influential voice practitioners, Rodenburg has transformed how Shakespeare is spoken, heard and understood in performance.

Originally trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama, Rodenburg has worked extensively with both the RSC and the National Theatre.

As Head of Voice at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and through her longstanding collaborations with leading theatre institutions across the globe, she has shaped generations of actors, embedding vocal clarity, emotional truth and a deep respect for Shakespeare’s language at the heart of their craft. Her achievements include being awarded an OBE, and in 2025 she was appointed Emeritus Director of Voice at the RSC.