I was so happy to see Dame Gillian Lynne honoured with a theatre in her name. (The New London Theatre). I am only sad that the honour came after her death. It would have been nice for her to see how appreciated her input into British theatre was, both in Staging scenes and as a choreographer.
Personally, in my days at the Royal Shakespeare, I was lucky enough to train under her for nine months. She was a tough taskmaster, but she turned out amazing choreography. It was in a production of the nineties thirties stage play, Once in a Lifetime, written by Moss and Hart, that I was fortunate enough to workwith her. We had an extremely long dance routine at the end of the play with tap and jazz and all sorts in it. She got us to the standard required, and I will forever be grateful that she taught me to look after my body by never giving up exercise.
Among her many credits she choreographed Cats, and Nicolas Nickleby.
She so richly deserved her damehood and the the naming of a theatre in her honour.
May she rest in peace, and good luck to her, teaching all our wonderful actors who are up there and went before her, to tap dance.