FOUNDATION NEWS
JULY 2019
To Gillie, With Love
Gillian Lynne DBE - A Celebration
To Gillie, With Love saw the great and good of the dance, theatre, film and TV industry come out in force to enjoy an unforgettable evening of stellar performances in celebration of the prolific and dearly-loved director choreographer, Gillian Lynne DBE at The Gillian Lynne Theatre, Drury Lane in London. £70,000 was raised for the Foundation which has been set up to enable talented young performers to achieve their dreams by providing scholarships and grants to reach their full potential in the choreographic arts, drama and musical theatre.
A star studded cast enthralled an enthusiastic audience with a an eclectic mix of dance and music punctuated by several poignant readings celebrating the life of one of the world’s most renowned artists, creating a spectacular show and a fitting tribute to Gillian Lynne.
Celebrating iconic moments from her lifelong and extensive career, the evening featured Anthony Barclay; Christopher Biggins; Sierra Boggess; Greg Castiglioni; Lorna Dallas; Katy Elizabeth-Treharne, Ben Forster; Anna Francolini; Jason Gardiner; Nickolas Grace; Celia Graham, Michael Howe; Ramin Karimloo; Hannah Kenna Thomas; Jeremy Kerridge; Beverley Knight; Peter Land; Emily Langham; Iain Mackay; Robert Meadmore; New Adventures Company; Caroline O’Connor; Jonjo O’Neil; Richard O’Brien; Sergei Polunin; Peter Polycarpou, Stuart Matthew Price; Hugh Quarshie; Jack Rebaldi; Liz Robertson; Tamara Rojo; Myra Sands, Wayne Sleep; Una Stubbs, Julia Sutton, Hannah Waddingham and Elisha Willis. The evening also featured a choir with students from Arts Ed and the Royal Academy of Music and ensemble of dancers.
The evening was curated and produced by Peter Land and Lean Two Productions and directed and staged by Chrissie Cartwright, Gillian’s long-time collaborator on Cats, musical direction by Peter McCarthy, lighting design by Michael Robertson, sound design by Adam Fisher. The evening was supported by LW Theatres and Cameron Mackintosh Ltd.
Peter Land at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in the evening in front of photos of his wife
Photo: David Jensen