Gillian Lynne's Posthumous Memoir Reveals Anecdotes of a Life in Dance

The recently published memoir, "Gillian Lynne's Book of Particular Cats," offers a collection of personal anecdotes from the renowned dancer and choreographer, detailing her experiences both on and off the stage. Lynne, celebrated for her choreography on Broadway productions like "Cats" and "The Phantom of Opera," passed away in 2018. Following her death, the New London Theatre was renamed in her honor, marking her as the first non-royal woman to have a West End theatre bear her name.

Encounters with Celebrities

Among the stories shared in the book is a chapter dedicated to Lynne's brief acquaintance with actress Sophia Loren. The two met on the set of the 1971 film "Man Of La Mancha," where Loren expressed fascination with a custom G-string Lynne wore, prompting Lynne's stepmother to create similar garments for the film star. Lynne fondly recalled the image of her stepmother sewing for Loren at her machine.

The memoir also recounts a more unsettling encounter in 1948. When Lynne was set to marry her first husband, Patrick St John Back, his father reportedly arranged a "health check" for her. Lynne recalled confronting the doctor, stating, "Look I’m more of a virgin than most girls my age, but I’ve been able to do splits since I was 14 and I should think my hymen was broken years ago." The in-laws ultimately did not attend the wedding.

Another notable anecdote describes a night when actor Errol Flynn invited Lynne to his suite at the Savoy hotel, where Clark Gable was also present. After a period of drinking, Lynne was persuaded to take a drug and subsequently passed out. Upon waking, she suspected something had occurred and lightheartedly accused them of being "very naughty" before leaving.

Despite these potentially uncomfortable accounts, the book is presented as a rich compilation of stories from a life lived fully. "Gillian Lynne's Book of Particular Cats" is available now.