Actor and theatre producer Laura Harling awarded Honorary Doctor of Letters by UWL

The University of West London (UWL) has awarded Drama Studio London (DSL) alumna Laura Harling an Honorary Doctor of Letters for her work to bring the transformative power of live theatre to people with dementia.

Laura has enjoyed an extensive career as an actor in TV, film, and theatre. Her credits include Jane Eyre (LWT), David Copperfield, Casualty, Silent Witness, My Family (BBC) and academy-award winning film, Gosford Park.

After studying Fine Art at Kingston University, Laura studied acting at Drama Studio London and went on to work in theatre. Productions included Say it With Flowers (Hampstead Theatre) directed by Katie Mitchell and the world premiere/tour of Martin Crimp and George Benjamin’s opera Written on Skin (ROH London/Lincoln Centre NYC/Bolshoi Moscow).

During this time, her grandmother moved into residential care. Dorothy Harling wanted to see Laura perform on the stage and go to the theatre, but her condition meant the travel was not possible – so Laura decided she would bring the theatre to her. Laura established The Dot Collective charity, a theatre company that tours professional productions into residential care and hard to reach community spaces that are accessible for all.

Laura has produced over fourteen productions since 2016 including immersive shows A Map to You (2021), One Hundred Trillion (Southwark Playhouse 2018/ Old Vic 2019), and Alice in Aerialand (2022) that raise awareness of dementia and those in care. Since 2021 she has been directing and educating students at DSL in theatre within the community with a focus on inclusive and accessible theatre in care.

In the 2023 New Year Honours List Laura received a British Empire Medal for her work. She has been developing integrating accessibility in theatre performance so that audiences of all demographics can equally engage and share joy within the arts. 

“This is work which transforms lives in the community and provides the magic of theatre where it is most needed,” said Director of DSL Emma Lucia Hands as she introduced Laura to those at the graduation ceremony.

“It is a great honour that Laura continues to work with DSL to extend this opportunity to our local community in Ealing as well as all the organisations she works with across the country.”

As she spoke passionately to the graduands about the importance of taking theatre to people living in care homes Laura said, “We need to stop thinking about us and them, because we will be them in years to come – and personally I want to access powerful theatre that transports me to a joyful, magical and spectacular world.

“Remember and consider the positives. Be brave, be creative and together I truly believe that we can make significant change to all our futures.”