West End theatres to dim lights in honour of producer John Gale

The Society of London Theatre has announced that West End theatres will dim their lights this week, in memory of West End and Broadway impresario John Gale, who died this week.

West End theatres will dim their lights for two minutes this Wednesday 14 May at 7pm.

Chichester Festival Theatre, for which John Gale was a former director, will also dim their lights.

As a London impresario John Gale (born 2 August 1929) produced over 100 productions, both in the UK and abroad.

Among his West End successes were Boeing-Boeing (five year West End run), The Secretary Bird (four year West End run), No Sex Please-We’re British, which remains the longest-running comedy in theatre history at 17 years, Terence Rattigan’s last play Cause Celebre, The Kingfisher (West End and Broadway), Abelard and Heloise, and Middle Age Spread for which he received a SWET Award (now an Olivier Award).

Gale was responsible for a number of distinguished literary adaptations, including Henry James’ The Wings of a Dove and E.M. Forster’s Where Angels Fear to Tread. He produced one feature film, Maroc 7, in 1967.

John Gale was President of the Society of West End Theatre, now Society of London Theatre (SOLT) from 1972 to 1975, and Chairman of the Theatres National Committee from 1979 to 1985. Together with Sir Peter Saunders and Ray Cooney, he changed the SWET Awards into the Olivier Awards that we know today. He also was pivotal in creating the Half Price Ticket Booth in Leicester Square.

In 1983 while still producing in the West End he joined his friend Patrick Garland to run the Chichester Festival Theatre and was the seventh Director of the CFT from 1983 to 1989, during which time he built the Minerva Theatre. During this time he gave Nicholas Hytner his directorial debut of a major play, The Scarlet Pimpernel (CFT, Tour and Her Majesty’s Theatre London); and gave Sam Mendes his first job as assistant Director at Chichester, and promoted him to Director of London Assurance (CFT and Theatre Royal Haymarket London). He also made Sam Mendes the Artistic Director of the Minerva’s first season.

John Gale was awarded the OBE in 1987 for services to theatre.

Cameron Mackintosh said in a statement: “John Gale was one of the titans of British theatre for over 30 years. Producing several of the longest running British comedies of all time, including No Sex Please, We’re British and Boeing Boeing. From the moment I met him, as a penniless producer in my early 20’s, he became one of my champions – advising and helping me to establish my career. We co-produced several shows together, before John went on to restore the fortunes of the Chichester Festival Theatre during the 1980’s, leaving it solidly solvent and thereby ensuring its future. John’s longest and proudest run has of course been his amazing marriage to his wonderful wife, Lisel, whom I have been lucky enough to have known and stayed friends with for over 50 years of their record-breaking marriage. John was truly one of the godfathers of British Theatre.”

Director and producer Sam Mendes said: “Passionate, dynamic, opinionated, larger than life – they don’t make them like John Gale anymore. His refusal to take no for an answer was a hugely significant factor in turning the Chichester Festival Theatre into the regional powerhouse it is today. He created and built the Minerva Theatre, strengthened the youth theatre, mounted immense community projects, and oversaw and encouraged a steady flow of young talent – myself among them. I learned an awful lot about bravery from John, and – as the person who gave me my first ever job – I also owe him an immense debt of gratitude.”

John Gale’s Funeral will be held at All Saint’s Church, East Dean, West Sussex at 2pm on Friday 30 May 2025.

Read Michael Coveney’s obituary for John Gale in The Guardian

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Main photo: John Gale (Photo courtesy of SOLT, taken at the wedding of Siena James)