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Gillian Lynne

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Gillian Lynne BIO

Gillian Lynne was a leading soloist with Sadler’s Wells Ballet, the star dancer at the Palladium, played opposite Errol Flynn in the movies and danced with all the greats on TV. She became instrumental in the development of jazz dance in Britain and her distinctive style – a fusion of classical and jazz – led to her groundbreaking work on the world-famous Cats, which was recognised with a new category of Olivier Award, specially created for her to acknowledge Outstanding Achievement of the Year in a Musical. Cats continues to be produced worldwide Gillian’s 50-plus Broadway and West End shows include: Tonight at 8.30, Love on the Dole, The Match Girls, TomFoolery, Jeeves Takes Charge, Cabaret, The Roar of the Greasepaint, Pickwick, The Card, Phil The Fluter, Hans Christian Andersen, My Fair Lady, Songbook, The Phantom of the Opera and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

For the Royal Shakespeare Company: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Comedy of Errors, The Way of the World, As You Like It, Once in a Lifetime and The Boy Friend. She has previously worked with Adrian Noble on the RSC production The Secret Garden.

Gillian’s opera productions include the direction of Bluebeard, The Trojans, The Midsummer Marriage, The Flying Dutchman and Parsifal. Among Gillian’s ballets are Breakaway, Lippizaner, The Brontes and Journey for the Bolshoi.

On television, Gillian has directed The Various Ends of Mrs F’s Friends, Easy Money, The Look of Love, The Morte d’Arthur, which won the Samuel G Engel Award in America, and A Simple Man, which won a 1987 BAFTA.

She staged many of The Muppet Shows for ATV and her 11 feature films include A Wonderful Life, Half a Sixpence, Man of La Mancha and Yentl. Gillian’s most recent productions include the staging of a special gala in New York to celebrate The Phantom of the Opera overtaking Cats as the longest-running show on Broadway and Phantom – the Las Vegas Spectacular.

She was awarded the Austrian Silver Order of Merit for her production of Cats in Vienna, a Moliere award for Cats in Paris, and in 2001 she was honoured by the Royal Academy of Dance with the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award. Gillian was awarded the CBE in 1997.

Gillian Lynne Photos

Gillian Lynne STAGE CREDITS

[London Fringe]
Original London Production, 1960
Performer

[West End]
London Production, 1954
Claudine

Gillian Lynne Productions

 
[West End, 2021]
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 2016]
Original Choreographer
 
[West End, 2014]
Associate Director and Choreographer
 
[Las Vegas, 2006]
Choreographer
 
[Regional (UK), 2005]
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 2005]
Choreographer
Choreographer
Choreographer
 
[West End, 2002]
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1990]
Choreographer
 
[West End, 1989]
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1988]
Choreographer
Musical Staging
 
[West End, 1986]
Director/Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1982]
Associate Director
Choreographer
 
[West End, 1981]
Choreographer
 
[West End, 1974]
Choreographer
 
[West End, 1971]
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1967]
Choreographer
 
[West End, 1966]
Director/Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1965]
Choreographer

Gillian Lynne Videos

Gillian Lynne News


Exclusive 48 Hour Presale: STANDING AT THE SKY'S EDGE

The multi-award winning new musical Standing at the Sky’s Edge – winner of the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, UK Theatre Award for Best Musical Production and the South Bank Sky Arts Award – transfers to the West End following sold-out runs at the National Theatre and Sheffield Theatres.

THE DRIFTERS GIRL Comes to Milton Keynes in October

Witness the new musical, which tells the remarkable story of one of the world's greatest vocal groups and the woman who made them, which comes to Milton Keynes on its first UK tour! Learn more about the musical and find out how to get tickets here!

Tosh Wanogho-Maud Performs Solo Shows at Piano Smithfield in November and December

Fresh from starring in the West End premiere of Ain’t Too Proud at the Prince Edward Theatre, Tosh Wanogho-Maud will perform a limited run of live solo shows in November and December. Find out how to get tickets here!

Kate Prince's MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE Set to the Music of Sting to Embark on North American Tour in 2024

Sadler’s Wells' production of Message In A Bottle, the acclaimed dance theatre show by Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Kate Prince, set to the music of 17-time Grammy Award-winning icon Sting, will embark on a major 10-stop North American tour in 2024. 

Review: CATS at Music Theatre Wichita

What did our critic think of CATS at Music Theatre Wichita? Music Theatre Wichita’s final show of the 2023 summer season is purr-ennial favorite, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s, Cats! Did you know that Cats is based on a work by T. S. Elliot entitled “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats?” True story, but don’t go digging for a plot.

Keith Allen Will Star as Scrooge in Mark Gatiss' Adaptation of A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Full casting has been announced for the revival of Mark Gatiss' acclaimed adaptation of A Christmas Carol.

SISTER ACT UK and Ireland Tour Reveals Casting and Further Dates

The producers of the 2023 Olivier Award nominated production of SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL have announced casting and an extended 12-months of the UK and Ireland tour, returning this Autumn from Friday 8 September at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend. Full tour schedule listed here.

Carly Mercedes Dyer and More Will Lead the UK Tour of THE DRIFTERS GIRL

Casting has been announced for the first-ever UK and Ireland tour of The Drifters Girl, the acclaimed new West End musical which tells the remarkable story of one of the world's greatest vocal groups and the woman who made them. Find out who's starring in the musical here!

Show of the Week: Save Up To 53% on CRAZY FOR YOU at the Gillian Lynne Theatre

Directed and choreographed by multi-Tony and Olivier award winner Susan Stroman, this spectacular production transfers from a sell-out season at the Chichester Festival Theatre. Starring Charlie Stemp, the Olivier-nominated star of Half a Sixpence and Mary Poppins as Bobby, Carly Anderson, star of Wicked as Polly, and Drama Desk Award winner Tom Edden as Bela Zangler. 

Video: Watch an All New Trailer For CRAZY FOR YOU in the West End

Chichester Festival Theatre’s new production of Crazy For You is playing a strictly limited 6-month season at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London.  An all new trailer has been released for the production. Check out the video here!

UK Tour of 42ND STREET Comes to Milton Keynes Theatre in August

Samantha Womack will star as Dorothy Brock, alongside Michael Praed as Julian Marsh, Faye Tozer as Maggie Jones, Les Dennis as Bert Barry and Nicole-Lily Baisden as Peggy Sawyer in the UK tour of 42nd STREET. The production will visit Milton Keynes Theatre 28 August – 02 September. 

New Cast Members Join West End's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

New casting has been announced for Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at His Majesty's Theatre from Monday 31 July 2023. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is currently booking until Saturday 2 March 2024.

Cast Revealed For FAREWELL MISTER HAFFMANN at Bath Theatre Royal

Adam Blanshay Productions and Norel Productions have announced full casting for Jean-Philippe Daguerre’s Farewell Mister Haffmann, the English language world première of one of France’s most successful new plays.

Review: CRAZY FOR YOU, Gillian Lynne Theatre

With a plot packed with clichés that are older than the hills and gags of pure corn which may be even older, it’s just as well that Crazy For You is an utterly spectacular feast for the eyes and ears.

STANDING AT THE SKY'S EDGE West End Tickets On Sale Today

Tickets for the West End transfer of the critically acclaimed Sheffield Theatres' production of Standing at the Sky's Edge go on sale today. The show will play at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, in London's West End, from 8 February 2024, with a press night set for Wednesday 28 February 2024. 

Photos: First Look at Charlie Stemp & More in CRAZY FOR YOU at the Gillian Lynne Theatre

Get a first look at photos of Crazy For You at the Gillian Lynne Theatre!

Video: Watch the Cast of CRAZY FOR YOU Perform 'I Got Rhythm' on THE ONE SHOW

Watch the West End cast of Crazy for You perform 'I Got Rhythm' on The One Show!

THE WIZARD OF OZ Leads Our Top Ten Shows for July

burbSummer in the city brings some red-hot theatrical treats. From a journey down the yellow brick road, to contemporary opera and fiery flamenco, July has something for everyone.

National Theatre Confirms Twelve New Productions

The National Theatre has announced twelve new productions including a new play by Tim Price and Dear Octopus by Dodie Smith. Olivier Award-winner Rebecca Frecknall will make her National Theatre directorial debut with Federico García Lorca’s modern masterpiece, The House of Bernarda Alba, starring Harriet Walter.

THE CHOIR OF MAN Reveals New Company and Extends Booking to February 2024

The Olivier-nominated international stage sensation The Choir of Man continues its sell-out West End run at the Arts Theatre, with new tickets released for dates until 18 February 2024.

Gillian Lynne FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Gillian Lynne has not appeared on Broadway.

Gillian Lynne has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

Gillian Lynne's first West End show was Can-Can which opened in 1954

Gillian Lynne has been nominated for several awards throughout her career. She received a Special Award at the Olivier Awards, an Outstanding Choreography nomination at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," an Outstanding Musical Production nomination at the Olivier Awards for "Dick Whittington," an Outstanding Choreography nomination at the Drama Desk Awards for "Phantom of the Opera," a Best Choreography nomination at the Tony Awards for both "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Cats," and an Outstanding Achievement of the Year in a Musical nomination at the Olivier Awards for "Cats."

Gillian Lynne has won several awards throughout her career. She received the Special Award at the Olivier Awards for her outstanding contribution to the theater industry. Additionally, she won the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement of the Year in a Musical specifically for her work on the show Cats.

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