The New London Theatre, which served as home to the original West End production of Cats for 20 years, will be renamed for the show’s Olivier Award-winning choreographer, Gillian Lynne.
The announcement was made by Cats composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, who acquired the theatre in 1991. Lynne is the first woman to have a West End theatre named in her honor.
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“I am delighted to be able to announce that the New London Theatre is to be renamed as the Gillian Lynne Theatre,” Lloyd Webber said in a statement. “Gillian has been a pioneer of British musical theatre and dance. Gillie’s groundbreaking work on Cats inspired and launched countless careers in dance. It is only fitting that the theatre in which she created Cats is named in her honour.”
Lynne earned the 1981 Olivier Award for her groundbreaking work on the original London production of Cats, which premiered May 11, 1981, at the New London Theatre. It ended its record-breaking run May 11, 2001.
The theatre is currently home to Lloyd Webber’s latest musical, School of Rock.
