Gillian Barbara Lynne (née Pyrke), CBE (born 20 February 1926) is a British ballerina, dancer, actor, theatre director, television director and choreographer noted for her popular theatre choreography associated with the iconic musicals Cats and the current longest running show in Broadway history, The Phantom of the Opera.
Lynne was born in Bromley, Kent, England, and was a precocious dance talent from an early age, teaming with her childhood fr...
more
Gillian Barbara Lynne (née Pyrke), CBE (born 20 February 1926) is a British ballerina, dancer, actor, theatre director, television director and choreographer noted for her popular theatre choreography associated with the iconic musicals Cats and the current longest running show in Broadway history, The Phantom of the Opera.
Lynne was born in Bromley, Kent, England, and was a precocious dance talent from an early age, teaming with her childhood friend Beryl Grey while still at school, and dancing to blot out the tragedy of the violent death (in a car crash) of her mother on 8 July 1939 in Coventry, when Lynne was just 13 years old.
Lynne's gift for dancing was discovered by a doctor. Lynne had been underperforming at school, so her mother took her to the doctor and explained about her fidgeting and lack of focus. After hearing everything her mother said, the doctor told Lynne that he needed to talk to her mother privately for a moment. He turned on the radio and walked out. He then...
less
