Leslie Bricusse passes away aged 90

November2021

Gillian Lynne with Evie and Leslie Bricusse Photo: Lynne & Land Collection

British songwriting genius Leslie Bricusse passed away at the age of 90. He was the composer and lyricist for more than 40 blockbuster musicals on stage and screen, nominated for ten Oscars (winning two), and had nine Grammys and four Tony Awards.

He was known for Doctor Dolittle (Talk To The Animals), Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory (Oompa-Loompa), Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice as well the shows Pickwick, Stop The World – I Want To Get Off and The Roar Of The Greasepaint – The Smell Of The Crowd. 

Gillian Lynne and Peter Land were lifelong friends of both Leslie Bricusse and his wife Evie. Gillian had first worked with Leslie on The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd starring Tony Newley, and would go on to collaborate on more shows including Pickwick and Brick by Brick by Bricusse as well as the feature film Three Hats for Lisa.

Click here to read in more detail about the life of Leslie Bricusse and his successful career: