We are delighted to announce that Julie Hesmondhalgh has joined the line-up as a keynote speaker at Theatre Conference 2026 with Spektrix, taking place on 30 June at London’s Southbank Centre.
Julie is an award-winning actor and writer, most recently winning an Olivier Award in 2026 for her supporting role in James Graham’s Punch, which started at Nottingham Playhouse. Passionate about championing northern voices, she co-runs the Take Back Theatre Collective in Manchester, leads the fundraising group 500 Acts of Kindness, and is a supporter of Arts Emergency. Alongside the wider theatre-going community in Oldham, Julie played a key role in the fight to save the Coliseum Theatre from permanent closure. Earlier this month she was announced as one of the contestants in a star-studded line-up for second Celebrity Traitors, which will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer later in the year.
SOLT & UK Theatre Co-CEO Claire Walker said:
“We’re thrilled that Julie will be joining us to address the delegation at this year’s Theatre Conference. Alongside her award-winning work and distinguished career as an actor, we’ve been hugely inspired by her campaigning and commitment to local theatre. Julie’s acceptance speech at the Olivers with a call to #LoveYourLocalTheatre was a powerful rallying cry and a reminder of our community’s creative ‘clout’ and power to create change – locally, nationally and internationally.”
Other speakers already announced include Artistic Director Jenny Sealey OBE, Executive Producer Francesca Moody MBE, Executive Director Carloyn ML Forsyth, Creative Director Nathan Powell and AI consultant Jocelyn Burnham.
This year’s theme – Ambitious Futures: Theatre in A Changing World – will examine the challenges facing our industry and consider how we can create the conditions for theatre to thrive amid rapid change, shaping a more resilient, inclusive and innovative future.
Tickets are still available, so book yours now and stay tuned for further speaker announcements in the coming days.
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