Rupert Rhymes (1940 – 2023)

WestEndTheatre.com is sad to learn of the death of Rupert Rhymes.

Rupert Rhymes was a passionate advocate of theatre and theatre history, particularly London theatre, and had a long career working for some of London and the UK’s primary arts organisations.

From 1963 to 1969 Rhymes was manager of The Old Vic, working alongside Laurence Olivier
From 1970 he was administrator of Sadler’s Wells Opera at the London Coliseum, working with ENO’s chairman Lord Harewood
From 1979 to 1982 he served as President of the West End’s industry trade body the Society of West End Theatre (SWET)
From 1987 to 2001 he was Chief Executive of the Society of London Theatre (renamed from SWET) and the Theatrical Management Association, which is now called UK Theatre
In 1991, Rhymes was a founder of the Performing Arts Employers Association League Europe (PEARLE), and its president from 1991 to 2002
From 2003 to 2007 he was chair of the Bristol Old Vic board
In 2002 he became Chairman of the Theatres Trust
He was also a trustee of the Peggy Ramsay Foundation; chair of the Oxford Stage Company; and chair of the Frank Matcham Society; and set up the Rupert Rhymes Bursary scheme for theatre production or management.
He was biographer of Mander and Mitchenson, the avid theatre collectors, whose collection is now housed in the Theatre Collection of the University of Bristol

Rupert Rhymes was recognised in the honour’s list in 2002 with an OBE for services to the theatre. He also received a special Olivier award in 2022 in recognition of his work for West End and regional theatre.

Paul Raven, founder of WestEndTheatre.com, said: “Rupert Rhymes, along with Susan Whiddington, gave me my first ever job – as an intern at SOLT, and then later as a staff member. Rupert was a kind, gentle and generous man, who lived and breathed theatre, and inspired all those around him with his knowledge and passion for both the work, and the industry itself.”

Rupert Rhymes was born on 24 June 1940, and died on 12 September 2023. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

Links:

The Stage - Rupert Rhymes obituary