HISTORY

Gillian Lynne directing Juliet Prowse, Donna King, Ute Lemper for BBC's Anyone Who Had A Heart

Gillian Lynne directing Juliet Prowse, Donna King, Ute Lemper for BBC's Anyone Who Had A Heart
Photo: Lynne & Land Collection

Throughout Dame Gillian Lynne’s long and distinguished career in the world of dance and performing arts, she supported many causes close to her heart, not only championing young and aspiring performers, but also passionate about giving back to the theatrical world she had felt blessed by herself.

Only too aware of the difficulties in embarking on an artistic path, Gillian and Peter wanted to establish a pathway to support and nurture aspiring young individuals as well as continuing to support the arts institutions she was affiliated with - creating a Foundation seemed the logical way forward.



Gillian Lynne at Sadler's Wells

Gillian Lynne waiting to go onstage at Sadler’s Wells
Photo: Roy Wood/ROH Collections

"The idea for our Foundation came about following a conversation a few years ago on how fortunate and grateful we both were for having people helping us early on in our respective careers.

Dame Gillian’s very sad death on 1st July 2018 spurred me on to keep her name alight and make it her legacy to help young, talented people more easily bear the financial burden of their training, especially given the difficulties and costs of modern life.

With a hugely knowledgeable and supportive group of Patrons and Trustees around me, the Foundation will help students of the choreographic arts, drama and musical theatre to achieve their full potential by providing Scholarships and Grants to selected schools and organisations for the performing arts.”

Peter Land - October 2019

The Dame Gillian Lynne and Peter Land Foundation was founded in 2019 and is registered with the Charity Commission with number 1183130.


 

VISION

Gillian Lynne working with 1976 Olympic figure-skating gold medallist, John Curry

Gillian working with 1976 Olympic figure-skating gold medallist, John Curry
Photo: Lynne & Land Collection

The Foundation’s goal is to allow young and talented students of the performing arts to realise their potential and develop their abilities and careers through a system of supportive grants and awards linked to structured learning establishments, which will in turn encourage and inspire a new generation, increasing access, skill acquisition and participation in the world of musical theatre, dance and the choreographic arts.