Dame Gillian Lynne, the choreographer responsible for the world famous Cats and Phantom of the Opera musicals, has died in London aged 92.
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Her husband actor Peter Land said she passed away on Sunday night at the Princess Grace Hospital in Marylebone.
"She leaves behind a huge legacy & is adored by many," Land wrote in a tribute to his "dearest wife & friend & love for 40 years" on Twitter.
A major influence on dance and musical theatre, Lynne was best known for her work with Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The composer and impresario wrote on Twitter: "Farewell dearest Gillie, three generations of the British musical owe so much to you. With love, Andrew"
Fellow choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne also paid tribute to Lynne, tweeting: "RIP Dear Gillie... you supported and inspired me from the very beginning... your spirit & love of dance & dancers lives on in all of us who share that love."
Lynne also directed more than 50 productions on the West End and Broadway and received two Olivier Awards.
She was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to dance and musical theatre in 2014.
In June, Lord Lloyd Webber renamed his New London Theatre as The Gillian Lynne Theatre.
It was the first West End theatre to be named after a woman.
Australian Associated Press
