Bring on the sheep driving: theatre impresarios granted Freedom of the City of London

A married couple who are two of London’s most successful theatre impresarios were given the Freedom of the City of London in a ceremony this Friday.

Dame Rosemary Squire and Sir Howard Panter, who founded two hugely successful theatre companies – the Ambassador Theatre Group and Trafalgar Entertainment – were given the honour in recognition of their contribution to theatre and the cultural life of London.

The duo attended a ceremony at the Guildhall, watched by family members, friends, and colleagues. They were nominated by Lord Mayor of the City of London, Professor Michael Mainelli, and former Lord Mayor, Sir William Russell.

Speaking to the Evening Standard, Dame Rosemary said that she could never have imagined being conferred the prize when she started out with a summer job in the box office of the Queen's Theatre in 1979. Since then, she and Sir Howard have acquired, operated or built some 70 commercial theatres – mostly in London, but also around the UK and internationally. In the capital, they’ve owned the Lyceum, Savoy, Apollo Victoria, Harold Pinter, and Piccadilly. 

The pair were big advocates for the theatre industry during the pandemic, campaigning for Government support. Dame Rosemary urged the Government to make the temporarily higher rates of tax relief for theatres, orchestra, and museums and galleries tax reliefs permanent. Currently, the exceptions have been extended until April 2025 to get the industry back on its feet.

Lord Mayor of the City of London, Professor Michael Mainelli, said: “Howard and Rosemary are a much respected and formidable double act in the world of entertainment, having produced hundreds of wildly popular shows and owned several wonderful theatres. It is entirely appropriate that their outstanding achievements and contribution to theatre and our capital city’s cultural life are recognised by their Freedom awards today.”

Late last year, eight of the first women to work as traders for the London Stock Exchange were given the Freedom of the City of London, to mark the 50th anniversary of women joining the trading floor. Other theatre and music luminaries such as Cameron Mackintosh, Luciano Pavarotti, Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Judi Dench and Stephen Sondheim also have the freedom.

Stars from the world of football including Harry Kane, Ian Wright and ex-England manager Roy Hodgson were also given the honour in 2023, as was Chris Whitty, the UK’s Chief Medical Officer, who became famous during the pandemic.

The Freedom of the City of London is believed to date back to the thirteenth century, and allowed people to do business in the City. Now it is mostly ceremonial, and given to people who are deemed worthy of the honour.