The Stage

Fifty stars to remember King’s Head founder Crawford at gala

Published Tuesday 4 July 2006 at 17:15 by Nuala Calvi

Stars including Denis Lawson, Sam West, Kim Medcalf, Don Black and Janie Dee are to perform at a special gala in honour of the late founder and artistic director of the King’s Head Theatre, Dan Crawford.

A Love Letter To Dan will feature performances from musicals staged at the venue during Crawford’s lifetime, including songs by Noel Coward, Ivor Novello, Cole Porter and Stephen Sondheim.

Crawford died in 2005, having run the north London pub theatre for 35 years, and many of those appearing started out at the venue.

Dee, who will perform one of his favourite songs, Look To The Rainbow, said Crawford had been one of the most important influences in her career.

Although he initially turned her down for a part, he gave her “crucial” advice on her singing technique and went on to cast her in a national tour of Oklahoma!

She told The Stage: “All sorts of now-famous people started out at the King’s Head, it was like a London rep.

“Dan did everything himself - he would work five or six nights in the pub as well as producing and directing. He even did the lighting and sound and would go along Upper Street and look for costumes. He had a passion and a twinkle that was infectious.”

A cast of 50 will perform at the gala evening to be held at the Novello Theatre on July 16. Among those appearing will be Anita Dobson, Peter Bowles, Patricia Hodge, Louise Gold, Wendy Toye, Linda Marlowe, Lionel Blair, Jon Lee, Angela Richards, Robert Meadmore, Lesley Joseph and Simon Green.

For tickets, call 0870 950 0935.