Barbara Windsor has pledged her support to Theatre Royal Stratford East’s ambitious fundraising campaign for a sculpture to remember the legendary theatre director Joan Littlewood.
Internationally acclaimed artist Philip Jackson has been commissioned to create the bronze sculpture which, subject to raising the necessary cash, is set to be installed in spring 2014 and will be placed in Theatre Square, Stratford.
It will be a significant artwork for the area, which is situated on the edge of the new Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
It is based on the iconic photograph of Joan Littlewood sitting on rubble outside the theatre in the 1970s at a time when the theatre faced the threat of demolition.
Barbara Windsor worked with Joan Littlewood at Theatre Royal Stratford East on several occasions during the early stages of her career appearing in the Broadway run of Joan Littlewood’s landmark production Oh What a Lovely War in 1964 and Joan Littlewood’s film Sparrows Can’t Sing.
“I am thrilled to be supporting this campaign in having a sculpture erected to the late, great Joan Littlewood, at last!
“Not only was she a pioneer in British theatre, she also changed my life and career. In my eyes this tribute is long overdue,“ says Barbara.
Philip Jackson is a sculptor with an outstanding international reputation. His most recent artworks include the National Memorial Sculpture to HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in The Mall, London; The Bomber Command Memorial Sculpture in Green Park, London; the Champions sculpture of Sir Bobby Moore at Upton Park; and the sculpture of Sir Alex Ferguson, for Manchester United FC.
To date the theatre has raised more than £143,800, almost 60 per cent of the project’s cost.
Members of the public are now being asked to pledge their support to help raise the remaining funds ahead of the January 13, 2014 deadline.
“Joan Littlewood brought theatre to the people of East London and revolutionised the international theatre landscape with her bold and powerful productions“ says Kerry Michael, the theatre’s artistic director. “She was an inspiration to many.“ l To support the campaign and donate online at www.joanlittlewood.com Amie Mulderrig
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