‘Rocky Horror’ and ‘Monty Python’ producer MIchael White dies
Glasgow-born Michael White, who was 80, is said to have died of heart failure.
Monty Python star Eric Idle was one of the first people to pay tribute to White, writing on Twitter: “RIP Michael White, Producer of Holy Grail. Rocky Horror, Pass The Butler etc. Chalky was one of a kind and will be missed.”
White was 26 when he produced his first West End play, a production of Jack Gelber’s The Connection, according to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB).
R.I.P. Michael White, Producer of Holy Grail. Rocky Horror, Pass The Butler etc. Chalky was one of a kind and will be missed. @JohnCleese
— Eric Idle (@EricIdle) March 9, 2016
He then produced Sleuth and Oh! Calcutta! before co-ordinating the production of Monty Python And The Holy Grail.
In 1973, White produced the original Theatre Upstairs production of The Rocky Horror Show, and went on to produce the film version of the show in 1975.
He was executive producer on The Hound Of The Baskervilles in 1978 and also wrote an autobiography, Empty Seats.
RIP Michael White (1936 - 2016) https://t.co/FvCrXD7Jn2 via @montypython
— Monty Python (@montypython) March 9, 2016
His former girlfriend Lyndall Hobbs told Reuters: “Michael had an appetite for life that was unmatched in my opinion. A unique man who put on hundreds of shows and truly was a theatrical pioneer.”
She added: “It would seem he died of heart failure having been told about eight weeks ago that he needed open heart surgery but he was too weak for surgery.”
Actor Michael Ball tweeted: “Sir George Martin and Michael White gone. Both ‘producers’ in different fields. Both excelled and influenced us all. RIP gentlemen.”
Sir George Martin and Michael White gone. Both "Producers" in different fields. Both excelled and influenced us all. RIP gentlemen.
— Michael Ball OBE💙 (@mrmichaelball) March 9, 2016
Actress Lisa Maxwell tweeted: “RIP Michael White. Producer of the original London production of musical Annie. So proud to have been a part of your show back then.”
RIP Michael White.producer of the original London production of Musical Annie.so proud to have been a part of your show back then.
— Lisa Maxwell 💙🇺🇦 (@thelisamaxwell) March 9, 2016
British Culture minister Ed Vaizey tweeted: “So sad —great producer Michael White has died. A remarkable man.”
So sad - great producer Michael White has died. A remarkable man. Great @gracieotto doc on him last year https://t.co/C0ckl5s1SF
— Lord Ed Vaizey (@edvaizey) March 9, 2016
