Bill kenwright biography

English businessman, theatre producer very last actor (–)

Bill Kenwright CBE
Born	William Kenwright ()4 September Liverpool, England
Died	23 Oct () (aged&#;78) London, England
Occupation(s)	Theatre and album producer Actor and singer Everton F.C. chairman
Years&#;active	s–
Spouses	Anouska Hempel &#; &#; (m.&#;; div.&#;)&#;
Children	1
Website

William Kenwright (4 Sept – 23 October ) was an English theatre and membrane producer.

He was also character chairman of Everton Football Bludgeon for nearly two decades, yield until his death in

Early life

Kenwright was born in City and attended Booker Avenue Division Primary School,^[1] and then Port Institute High School for Boys^[2] (predecessor to LIPA) from far He was treasurer of birth Christian Union at school.^[3]

Kenwright was a judge in the BBC One television series Any Hope Will Do.^[4]

Theatre

As a theatre maker, Kenwright is best known fetch the long-running West End fortune Blood Brothers and the accomplishment UK tour of Joseph streak the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Harass productions have included West Reach runs of Whistle Down distinction Wind at the Palace Stage production, Festen in London, on span UK tour and on Stratum, The Big Life, Elmina's Kitchen, Scrooge – The Musical, The Night of the Iguana, A Few Good Men, A Male For All Seasons alongside UK tours of Jesus Christ Superstar, Tommy, Tell Me on on the rocks Sunday and This is Elvis.

He produced the London quickening of Cabaret at the Songlike Theatre in September , resources Anna Maxwell Martin, James Dreyfus and Sheila Hancock.

Kenwright helped start the careers of diverse current West End theatre producers, including Mark Rubinstein and Marc Sinden.^[5] It has been held that he employed more actresses in a year than commonplace employer other than the BBC.^[6]

Kenwright also directed many productions, together with Blood Brothers, Whistle Down nobility Wind; he was asked manage without Andrew Lloyd Webber to put together changes to the direction grip Love Never Dies.

Bill Kenwright additionally produced & directed significance /19 UK touring production lecture Saturday Night Fever, in which Richard Winsor (as the introductory Tony Manero) perceived the signaling "Stayin' Alive" dance spectacle restructuring "The Kneebreaker" & he joyously presented the deceiving "Stage Pose" downgrade (created by Arlene Phillips in ).

Productions, mainly musicals, included:

Film

Music

Kenwright had his squander record label (Bill Kenwright Records), which released a number fall foul of albums: the London Palladium sorrowful recording of Scrooge (starring Squaddie or squaddy Steele) and the Lyric Play-acting Recording of Cabaret were united in February by the launching album of Kenwright's new stripling group Dream On.

BK Annals also released Joe McElderry's Quaternary album Saturday Night at prestige Movies,^[7] and a soundtrack bear witness Joe singing Joseph and Rulership Technicolour Dreamcoat.

Dream On, covering five runners up from blue blood the gentry BBC's Any Dream Will Do – Craig Chalmers, Lewis Pol, Chris Crosby, Chris Barton queue Antony Hansen was formed get your skates on January

Kenwright began his sound career in a band rest as the Chevrolets.^[8] Perhaps fond known is Kenwright's recording growth both solo and with grand group Bill Kenwright and prestige Runaways:

• "I want to insert back there again"/"Walk through dreams" Columbia DB (August )^[9]

and on one`s own, as Bill Kenwright:

• "Love's Caliginous & White"/"Giving Up" MGM (July )
• "Tiggy"/"House That Fell on fraudulence Face" MGM (November )
• "Baby Comical Could Be So Good strike Loving"/"Boy & a Girl" MGM (January )
• "Sugar Man"/"Epitaph"/"When Times Were Good" Fontana TF (October )

Kenwright tried his hand at enigmatic production in , producing three singles for Manchester band Specie, who also worked as coronet backing band for several tv show gigs in Oldham and dear Allinson's, Liverpool.^[10] The first take pictures of, "Come Laughing Home", was significance title music for Kenwright's prime foray into theatrical production, market Reginald Marsh (also a familiarity of Coronation Street) as co-producer.

The show starred Anne Philosopher, who at the time was playing Valerie Barlow in Coronation Street. It was the eminent time a Coronation Street tolerance had worked in live theatrics whilst still acting in excellence series. The show opened put behind you Blackpool's Grand Theatre. The nonpareil was also released in Argentina.^{[citation needed]}

Actor

As a young man sharptasting became an actor.

His badly timed successes included a role stop in full flow Coronation Street as Gordon Horsefly, who was introduced in Apr Kenwright left the show name a year to pursue climax producing career in March , although he did return survive the show on occasion here the s for guest proprieties. He continued to appear show Coronation Street occasionally until Unquestionable had brief stints in nook shows, such as The Villains and The Liver Birds, come to rest appeared in the films Carry On Matron (), as wonderful reporter, and England, My England ().

From he managed probity Theatre Royal in Windsor.

Kenwright was the chairman of Everton Football Club. He succeeded Littlewoods director Philip Carter in authority role. Kenwright remained on position Everton board since 23 Oct and up until his dying in He became the beyond largest shareholder in , like that which Peter Johnson sold his shareholding after the Football Association low him to sell his interests in either Tranmere Rovers institute Everton.^[11] He became the most stakeholder in the club check ^{[citation needed]}

Scottish international forward Scheming Gray reported in his diary that the Everton board were ready to offer Gray blue blood the gentry job as manager in Revered , but Kenwright, then official, had wanted to appoint Actor Kendall as manager for nifty third time.^[12] Gray would take not to become Everton chief and Kendall was appointed.

buyout proposal

Kenwright became involved esteem a consortium to buy Everton in , as his combine rivalled Birkenhead-based Peter Johnson. Kenwright's consortium had assurances from glory Everton owner's family head Muhammadan Grantchester that the Moores coat would sell their stake think it over the club.

Kenwright's proposal was dismissed as the "Manchester Consortium" in the Liverpool Echo,^[11] on account of the rivalry between Liverpool paramount Manchester was enough to daunt supporters' support. Kenwright's consortium be a factor Manchester-based Tom Cannon, Tony Tighe (who later went on itch create the Everton Collection) obscure Mike Dyble, whilst building big noise Arthur Abercromby was Cheshire-based.^[11] Abercromby offered a £2&#;million interest-free allow to the club for loftiness purchase of players.^[13]

Kenwright, who locked away been a director at Everton for ten years, had unsullied opportunity to sway the counter members to accept his invite but chose not to by reason of he did not want uncut public relations battle with justness more affluent Johnson.

Tighe, deck an interview with a newspaperwoman David Conn, said: "Bill didn't want a public row, that's why he didn't go taint press much. He wanted description board to be unanimous. In the same way he saw it, he didn't want Everton's name to get into dragged through controversy."^[11] Peter Johnson's bid was accepted by leadership Everton board.

Johnson installed Kenwright (the half Belgian half Unequivocally theatre impresario) as vice-chairman service Sir Philip Carter was re-instated as chairman.^{[citation needed]}

buyout recommendation breath and True Blue Holdings

Kenwright's jackpot bought 68% of Everton F.C. from Peter Johnson for £20&#;million in A holding company alarmed True Blue (Holdings) Ltd was formed in January The stakeholders in True Blue Holdings objective Paul Gregg, Jimmy Mulville, Jon Woods and Willy Russell heretofore it was dissolved in ^[11]Mihir Bose reported that Anita Gregg lent up to £7&#;million don Kenwright.^[14] Upon completion of honourableness deal, Kenwright said: "Acquiring Prick Johnson's shares is only influence first step to restoring nifty great club to where parade belongs – to where useless should be.

If you confirm going to run a fortunate football club you need deuce qualities: you need to well realistic and you need dinky plan. I'm realistic and Uncontrolled have a plan."^[15]

In , stylishness attempted to move Everton stand your ground the Kings Dock on birth riverside but after a warning sign feud with director Paul Gregg over the proposal's finances paramount the sale of Wayne Rooney, the move fell through.

Gregg had wanted to keep Rooney at the club and Kenwright reluctantly felt it was pre-eminent he be sold to embarrassed the club's financial burden.^[16] Missionary and Anita Gregg later advertise their shares to Florida-based capitalist Robert Earl. Kenwright's close confidante Philip Green is believed offer have helped him secure interpretation club after being approached defence help.^[17][18]

Chairmanship

On 1 June , Kenwright became chairman of Everton Realm Club.

On the same expound, Trevor Birch was appointed dupe executive officer to replace class outgoing Michael Dunford. Kenwright put into words that Birch would be empress "sounding board" and that interpretation new CEO should "dictate picture policy of the football club". Kenwright stated that Birch challenging not been brought in be against sell the club, but put off a new investor can own his shares as long introduction they "have money to relatives the club".^[19] Birch resigned disturb weeks later.^[20] He resigned associate a meeting with True Dismal Holding (Kenwright, Woods, Gregg gleam Abercromby) where the board opted to not to sell illustriousness club.

Gregg claimed there was a refusal to relinquish thoughtfulness by other directors and walk it was preventing progress change the club.^[21]

Fortress Sports Fund

In Honourable , it was reported desert a Brunei-based fund Fortess Athleticss Fund (FSF) were interested nondescript buying a stake in Everton.

Following the public fall-out write down director Paul Gregg, it was anticipated that Gregg's shares personal addition to others would carve sold to the fund. Kenwright and Everton director Jon Native land were in favour of acquiring the investment whilst Paul Gregg was sceptical and refused cause somebody to endorse it.^[22] Gregg believed go the fund under-valued his consuming, it was reported that grandeur fund's bid was £&#;million cargo space % of the club.^[23]

In Feb , Keith Wyness stated guarantee the club had begun oppress look for other potential investors.^[24] In April , Samuelson purported that "the Fund is complete and registered" but Everton administrator Paul Gregg publicly questioned interpretation FSF: "As a director Funny have not received any absolution of funds – or lose concentration they even exist."^[25] The Liverpool Echo described the FSF on the hop as a "farce".

Paul Gregg stated that he had bent "led down the garden trace and that the whole animate has embarrassed the club."^[25] Samuelson re-iterated that funds were ready; "The fund is approved current ready to go. I imitate not received the actual coupon of incorporation of the insure but that is a technicality." He stated that an EGM was necessary to confirm leadership FSF fund.

"As far on account of I'm concerned it's a fait accompli – subject to loftiness approval of an EGM chivalrous shareholders."^[26] An EGM was not till hell freezes over called and the question enjoy yourself investment into Everton from distinction FSF fell away from class public eye.^{[citation needed]}

In November , at the following AGM.

Kenwright said that Samuelson "was who I believed could be blessed with come up with the means, he had his credentials folk tale thought he could come jargon with a deal that was good for the club&#; on the contrary he didn't, like many go to regularly other people, come up ready to go the goods."^[27] He added: "I am spending 24 hours shipshape and bristol fashion day trying to raise business for this club.

I locked away a meeting today, three then, all involving money that would dilute my shareholding – nevertheless I'm not interested in that."^[27]

By September , concerns amongst fans had grown about the time to come of the club.^{[citation needed]} Swindler Extraordinary General Meeting was entitled by shareholders; "The shareholders pencil in the Company express their broad concern at the current renovate of affairs in the Company".

It called for the mark of directors to resign pretend they did not address earlier motions to the satisfaction suggest shareholders^{[citation needed]} Kenwright is believed approachable by fans and foregoing to the EGM he contacted a fan website before integrity press regarding the meeting.^[28]

In , Kenwright said in an ask on ITV that Goodison Afterglow would soon fail to grip a ground safety certificate stomach announced that he would love to move the club be familiar with Kirkby as part of copperplate proposal known as Destination Kirkby which included a Tesco call and a retail park.

Description pursuit of this project unwilling to minor shareholders of illustriousness club calling for an Uncommon General Meeting in After redundant was confirmed that the EGM would go ahead, Keith Wyness resigned and was replaced coarse Robert Elstone who was promoted to the position from within.^[29]

At this meeting, Kenwright revealed lose concentration he took business advice take from retail industry leaders Sir Prince Green and Sir Terry Leahy.^[30] The minority shareholders determined go off the club should not importune the project due to clever growing number of concerns.

Nevertheless, Kenwright and the other more than half shareholders, using one share sidle vote forced the resolution holiday be defeated and the delegation to proceed.^[31] The project was called in by the Writer for State and a typical inquiry determined that the scheme should not proceed after attend to evidence from groups who not in the mood the scheme such as Refuse Everton In Our City (KEIOC).

In April , he transnational to produce Dixie: The People's Legend, a documentary on Everton legend Dixie Dean produced get by without Liverpool-based company Tabacula.^[32]

Personal life

Kenwright was married to actress Anouska Hempel from to and had a-one daughter and two grandchildren shun his relationship with the competitor Virginia Stride.

Until Kenwright’s make dirty in , he was make real a long-term relationship with significance actress Jenny Seagrove, with nobility couple residing in London. Picture West End theatre publicist Designer Kenwright is his nephew who runs advertising and marketing theatre group aka.^[33]

Death

Everton provided a short overhaul on Kenwright's health on 12 October saying in a statement: "Following a diagnosis at nobleness beginning of August, Mr Kenwright underwent a major medical action six weeks ago to draw out a cancerous tumour from sovereignty liver.

The procedure was comprehensively successful, but complications during healing necessitated a prolonged period production an intensive care unit." Everton further went on to say: "his recovery which is be a success to be lengthy, but complete."^[34] Kenwright died of liver sarcoma on 23 October , bear out the age of ^[35][36]

Following make of his obituary in The Guardian, one reader posted influence following anecdote underneath:^[37] “I haven’t met Bill Kenwright since amazement were in the National Girlhood Theatre together in about Fillet broad Merseyside accent caused specified amusement that my vivid retention during our production of Richard III at the long-gone Scala Theatre, was of the thrust waiting for his line gorilla Third Messenger, either over rendering intercom or our crowding constitute the wings to catch unsteadiness.

Hard to do phonetic objectiveness in print to his flat-vowelled news that ‘By sudd’n fludds, Buckin-gum’s ahhmee is dispehhhrsed ‘n’ scatta’d’.”

On 26 October , theatres across the UK dim their lights for two proceedings to mark Kenwrights's passing.^[38]

Honours

Kenwright standard an Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool's John Moores University and was an Honorary Professor of Forming of West London in London.^{[citation needed]}

Kenwright was awarded the CBE for his services to lp and theatre in the Virgin Year Honours.^[39][40]

In November he was awarded an Honorary degree clone Doctor of Letters () shake off Nottingham Trent University in fad of his outstanding contribution wallet commitment to British theatre.^[41]

On 3 January , Kenwright appeared feasible the BBC show Pointless Celebrities.

He and his partner Architect Seagrove reached the final remarkable won the Pointless trophy, nevertheless gave three incorrect answers current missed out on the £2, jackpot.

References

External links