Stars from the worlds of theatre, film, television and dance will celebrate the life of Gillian Lynne in a special tribute show which will mark the launch of the Lynne and Land Foundation.
On 2 July 2019, a year and a day after the world-renowned choreographer passed away at the age of 92, some of the biggest names in entertainment will take to the stage at the Gillian Lynne Theatre to celebrate her life and glittering career.
To Gillie With Love will feature: Anthony Barclay; Christopher Biggins; Sierra Boggess; Greg Castiglioni; Lorna Dallas; Ben Forster; Anna Francolini; Jason Gardiner; Nickolas Grace; Linzi Hateley; Michael Howe; Ramin Karimloo; Hannah Kenna Thomas; Jeremy Kerridge; Beverley Knight; Peter Land; Emily Langham; Annabel Leventon; Iain Mackay; Robert Meadmore; New Adventures Company; Caroline O’Connor; Jonjo O’Neil; Richard O’Brien; Sergei Polunin; Stuart Matthew Price; Hugh Quarshie; Jack Rebaldi; Liz Robertson; Sir Ken Robinson; Tamara Rojo; Jamie Safir; Wayne Sleep; Scarlett Strallen; Una Stubbs and Hannah Waddingham
Tickets are on sale for the very special event which will also launch the Lynne and Land Foundation, a scheme to help talented young performers reach their full potential by providing grants and scholarships.
Revealing details of the project, Lynne’s husband actor and singer Peter Land said: “Two years before my wife passed away we discussed the Foundation and she insisted on having it in both of our names. We both benefited hugely in our careers from the kindness of others and that is what we want to do with the Foundation – to be the help that Gillian Lynne was to so many performers throughout her career.
“I remember the actor George Baker being wonderfully generous to me and Gillian always said that the support she got from Noel Coward, personally and professionally kept her going when times were tough.”
The evening will be curated and produced by Peter Land and Lean Two Productions and directed and staged by Chrissie Cartwright, Lynne’s long-time collaborator on Cats with musical direction by Peter McCarthy, scenic design by Matthew Kinley, lighting design by Michael Robertson, sound design by Adam Fisher. The event is supported by LW Theatres and Cameron Mackintosh Ltd.
Lynne died last year just a few months after Andrew Lloyd Webber announced his New London Theatre would be re-branded the Gillian Lynne Theatre, becoming the first West End venue to be named after a non-royal woman and a choreographer.
Owned by Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group since 1991, and currently home to the composer’s smash hit School of Rock, the 92-year-old joined Lloyd Webber at the official re-naming ceremony.
Widely regarded as one of the world’s most innovative and creative choreographers, the Bromley-born former ballet dancer was made a dame in 2014 in recognition of her contribution to theatre and dance.
Lynne’s professional partnership with Lloyd Webber began with Cats at the New London theatre in 1981 and also included the hits The Phantom of the Opera and Aspects of Love.
Acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic, she worked on over 60 shows in the West End and on Broadway and won two Olivier Awards during her career, a Golden Rose of Montreux Award for her work on TV’s Muppet Show, and a BAFTA for the BBC dance drama A Simple Man.
Angela Thomas
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