Theatres across the UK will dim their lights tomorrow evening at 7pm (Thursday 26 October) in tribute to the memory of prolific theatre producer Bill Kenwright.
Venues will dim their marquee lights, put tributes on their house screens or washing their theatres in Everton blue (the football club to which he was proudly Chairman) to mark the passing of Bill Kenwright who died on Monday, 23 October 2023, aged 78. He had recently been diagnosed with cancer, and had a cancerous tumour removed last week.
Kenwright was one of the UK and West End’s most prolific and successful theatre producers with over 500 West End, Broadway, UK touring and international theatre productions to his name. His production of Blood Brothers ran in the West End for over 24 years, and his scores of other productions have included a long association with Andrew Lloyd Webber, producing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Whistle Down the Wind, Jesus Christ Superstar, Tell Me on a Sunday, The Wizard of Oz and Evita.
Current Bill Kenwright Ltd productions include: Frank and Percy, which is now playing at The Other Palace theatre in Victoria; and UK tours of Calendar Girls The Musical,Twelve Angry Men starring Patrick Duffy; and hit West End musical Blood Brothers – which is rumoured to be on its way back to the West End, and the forthcoming show Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical, coming to The Other Palace theatre this January.
Eleanor Lloyd, president of the Society of London Theatre, said: “Bill was a theatrical legend – a true impresario whose passion, spirit and enthusiasm had an immeasurable impact on the British Theatre for 60 years. We are proud the whole industry can come together to pay tribute to his incredible career. He will be deeply missed across the theatre business and beyond.”
Jon Gilchrist and Stephanie Sirr, co-presidents of UK Theatre, added: “Bill was a titan of the touring theatre circuit. His commitment to regional theatre kept some really key industry establishments alive through tough times. He devoted much of his prolific career to productions around the UK and his extraordinary contribution to the sector will not be forgotten. All our condolences are with his loved ones.”
Following the announcement of his death, tributes have pored in from all across the theatre community. You can read some of them here.
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