How Did Gillian Lynne Change Musical Theatre?

Musical Theatre|Theater

Gillian Lynne is renowned for her contributions to musical theatre. She was one of the first women to have a long and successful career in the industry and paved the way for many other female directors and choreographers.

Lynne began her career in ballet and became a soloist at Covent Garden’s Royal Ballet. After working as a dancer for several years, she was asked to choreograph for the musical ‘Love From Judy’. It was here that she established herself as a major force in musical theatre.

Lynne’s most famous contribution is her work on the musical ‘Cats’. She was hired by Andrew Lloyd Webber to be both its choreographer and director, making her one of the few people who have held both positions simultaneously.

Her work on this show is often credited with revolutionizing modern musical theatre, with its use of dance as an integral part of storytelling. She also won two Tony Awards for her work on ‘Cats’ – one for Best Choreography and one for Best Direction.

Aside from ‘Cats’, Lynne has had an extensive career in both film and theatre, directing productions like ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, ‘Starlight Express’, ‘Mary Poppins’ and ‘The Sound of Music’. She has also been awarded two Olivier Awards – one for Best Choreography in 1988 and another for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre in 2007.

Lynne has had an enormous impact on musical theatre. Her work has revolutionized modern musicals by making dance an integral part of storytelling, while also paving the way for more female directors and choreographers. She has won numerous awards throughout her career, cementing her legacy as one of the most influential figures in musical theatre history.

Conclusion: Gillian Lynne changed musical theater profoundly by revolutionizing it through dance-based storytelling techniques, becoming one of the first successful female directors/choreographers, and winning multiple awards over her long career. Her influence is still felt today, as her innovative approach continues to shape modern musical theater across the globe.