Gillian Lynne at work on the set of Dear World. Picture: Roy Tan
Andrew Lloyd Webber has led the tributes to the much-loved choreographer and director Gillian Lynne who has died at the age of 92.
Writing on Twitter, the composer and impresario marked the passing of his long-time colleague and friend, writing: “Farewell dearest Gillie, three generations of the British musical owe so much to you. With Love, Andrew.”
Lloyd Webber was one of many industry luminaries to respond to the sad news of Lynne’s death which was announced by her husband Peter Land on Twitter.
The New Zealand-born actor and singer posted a moving tribute to the woman he married in 1980: “Rest In Peace my darling Gillie. I am heartbroken to write that Dame Gillian Lynne DBE & my dearest wife and friend and love for 40 years passed away at 6.20pm tonight 1 July 2018 at the Princess Grace Hospital. She leaves behind a huge legacy and is adored by many espec @peterland_uk.”
Theatres across London’s West End will be dimming their lights at 7pm tonight (2 July). Julian Bird, chief executive of Society of London Theatre, said: “Dame Gillian Lynne’s contribution to theatre was inestimable. Her career, which spanned over seven decades, encompassed performance, choreography and directing. She worked across so many of the West End and Broadway’s top venues and productions, and won numerous awards and accolades. We are proud to celebrate her extraordinary legacy tonight in the West End.”
Lynne’s death comes just a few months after 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 just a few weeks ago.
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.
Fellow choreographer Matthew Bourne was among the first to pay tribute to Lynne, writing on Twitter: “RIP Dear Gillie… you supported and inspired me from the very beginning… your spirit and love of dance and dancers lives on in all of us who share that love.”
Dancer Darcey Bussell posted: “Gillian Lynne was an incredible force and passion within the dance world. Such an inspiring lady she will be very much missed. Dx.”
Choreographer and director Arlene Phillips also posted: “Darling Gillian, now and forever I will always remember the times we shared talking endlessly of our love of dance. Dance in the heavens.”
Angela Thomas
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