Everton, a soccer team in the Premier League, was owned and run by Kenwright as well.
The renowned West End theater producer Bill Kenwright, who went on to become the owner and chairman of his childhood soccer club Everton, as well as the creator of the smash musicals Blood Brothers, Whistle Down the Wind, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, has passed away. Aged 78.
Everton confirmed in a statement that Kenwright passed away quietly, “surrounded by his family and loved ones.” The Premier League soccer team had disclosed earlier this month that Kenwright had just had surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his liver.
According to fellow theater mogul Cameron Mackintosh, “the world of British theatre without Bill Kenwright seems impossible” in a statement on X. “I have never met somebody like Bill in my lifetime. He is very unique, and we shall sincerely miss him.
“My dear Bill, Andrew Lloyd Webber tweeted on Tuesday, “Somewhere you’ll be singing Let It Be Me and daring heavenly choirs to look into your Ebony Eyes.” “The theater will always remember you and miss you.”
Ian McKellen posted a comment on X stating, “Like many grateful actors, I am in debt to Bill Kenwright for employment.” He gave off the impression that he knew and cared about every employee in the company. However, every conversation would always turn to his equal enthusiasm, Everton.”
Kenwright was among the upper echelons of British theater producers after a run of successful productions in London, including Blood Brothers, Cabaret, The Wizard of Oz, Evita, Jekyll & Hyde, Fame, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Kenwright, who was born on September 4, 1945, in Liverpool, England, began his career as an actor in the entertainment business. He played the lead character of Gordon Clegg in the enduring ITV soap opera Coronation Street, which debuted in April 1968. The next year, he departed the soap to pursue a career as a producer, but throughout the next fifty years, he made sporadic cameos on Coronation Street, with his final appearance occurring in 2012.
When Kenwright turned to theatrical production, he became well-known for creating fresh takes on classic musicals. In 1987, he produced Blood Brothers, a play by Willy Russell set in Liverpool, and it was a huge hit. The show would go on to become a long-lasting hit, spending 24 years in the West End, going on many national and
Kenwright, who was born on September 4, 1945, in Liverpool, England, began his career as an actor in the entertainment business. He played the lead character of Gordon Clegg in the enduring ITV soap opera Coronation Street, which debuted in April 1968. The next year, he departed the soap to pursue a career as a producer, but throughout the next fifty years, he made sporadic cameos on Coronation Street, with his final appearance occurring in 2012.
When Kenwright turned to theatrical production, he became well-known for creating fresh takes on classic musicals. In 1987, he produced Blood Brothers, a play by Willy Russell set in Liverpool, and it was a huge hit. The show would go on to become a long-lasting hit, spending 24 years in the West End, going on many national and
traveling abroad and moving to BroadwaIn addition, Kenwright produced Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd-Webber, which went on to become a long-running smash on the national and international touring circuit.
Alongside his contemporaries Paul Elliott, Duncan Weldon, and Cameron Mackintosh, Kenwright rose to prominence in the United Kingdom theater scene over the course of a career spanning more than sixty years. Over 500 West End, Broadway, national, and worldwide touring theatrical works were produced by him overall.
Lewis Gilbert’s Stepping Out was Kenwright’s debut feature picture production (1991). Julie Walters, who featured in the movie with Liza Minnelli, received a nomination for a BAFTA film award in the best supporting actress category.
My Pure Land (2017), an Urdu-language film directed by Sarmad Masud and produced by William Kenwright, was the United Kingdom’s entry for the best foreign language Oscar at the 90th Academy Awards.
The Fanatic (2019), My Night with Reg (2021), Off the Rails (2021), Burden (2018), Peripheral (2018), Another Mother’s Son (2017), The Hope Rooms (2016), Broken (2012), Chéri (2009), Die, Mommie, Die! (2003), Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (1999), and Day After the Fair (1986) are some of the other films that Kenwright has produced.
In addition to receiving a CBE in 2001 for his contributions to theater and cinema, Kenwright was honored with a lifetime achievement award in 2008 by the Theatrical Management Association of the United Kingdom.
Outside of the entertainment sector, Kenwright is more recognized for his affiliation with Everton, a soccer team in the Premier League. A lifetime supporter of his hometown team, he joined the board in 1989, held ownership stakes in the company on many occasions, and finally was appointed chairman of Everton in 2004, a position he held until his death.
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