ArtsEd - In Conversation ... Remembering Dame Gillian Lynne
May 2026
On Thursday 28th May, ArtsEd welcomed audiences to a very special evening celebrating the life and legacy of Dame Gillian Lynne. Held in the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre, it was a heartfelt event filled with moving conversations, treasured memories and reflections on the extraordinary impact Gillian had on theatre, dance and the wider arts.
ArtsEd students and panel members on stage
The evening began with beautiful performances from ArtsEd musical theatre students, choreographed by Grace Harrington and Matthew Malthouse. Lynne and Land Scholars Charlotte Harwood and Halle Kaiser, in addition to performing, also read passages from Gillian Lynne’s Memoir A Dancer in Wartime. This was followed by ArtsEd principal Professor Louise Jackson chairing a panel comprising Peter Land, Chrissie Cartwright, Sir Luke Rittner and Sierra Boggess, who all shared personal stories and insights into Gillian’s remarkable career and lasting influence.
Some of the panel discussion included what makes a great dance teacher today, how Gillian’s unique approach as a choreographer and director has impacted dance training today (“Energy breeds energy” was Gillian’s favourite maxim) and what her lasting legacy will be in influencing the future of dance and choreography as well as supporting the future generations through the Lynne and Land Foundation.
Click here to read the full story at ArtsEd
Watch a short video from the evening below with Gillian Lynne’s voice as the soundtrack
Panel members on stage and signing portraits
