The late Dame Gillian Lynne, Dancer and Choreographer

Available for over a year

Gillian Lynne was one of the most influential dancer-director-choreographers of her generation. Born in Bromley in 1926, Gillian began her dancing career at Sadler’s Wells after being scouted by the company while WW2 was still on. After that her first major role came in Sleeping Beauty at the Royal Opera House, and she went on to become an admired dramatic ballerina in the Royal Ballet Post-dancing she became the creative force behind landmark musicals including Cats and The Phantom of the Opera. Her choreographic work is considered to have shaped modern musical theatre. At age 87, Gillian was made a Dame. When she died in 2018, the New London Theatre was renamed in her honour, making her the first non-royal woman to have a West End theatre named after her. This year marks the centenary of Dame Gillian Lynne. A year of celebrations, tributes and special events has been planned to honour her life, her extraordinary career, and the legacy she left on stages around the world. Robert spoke to Dame Gillian Lynne in 2013.