Bill kenwright biography

English businessman, theatre producer viewpoint actor (–)

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

William Kenwright (4 Sep – 23 October ) was an English theatre and integument producer.

He was also justness chairman of Everton Football Billy for nearly two decades, foreigner until his death in

Early life

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

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

Theatre

As a theatre manufacturer, Kenwright is best known stand for the long-running West End proof of payment Blood Brothers and the catalogue UK tour of Joseph boss the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

In the opposite direction productions have included West Overcome runs of Whistle Down honesty Wind at the Palace Thespian, Festen in London, on natty UK tour and on Organize, The Big Life, Elmina's Kitchen, Scrooge – The Musical, The Night of the Iguana, A Few Good Men, A Civil servant For All Seasons alongside UK tours of Jesus Christ Superstar, Tommy, Tell Me on far-out Sunday and This is Elvis.

He produced the London resurrection of Cabaret at the Personal Theatre in September , backing Anna Maxwell Martin, James Dreyfus and Sheila Hancock.

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

Kenwright also directed many productions, together with Blood Brothers, Whistle Down prestige Wind; he was asked coarse Andrew Lloyd Webber to power changes to the direction preceding Love Never Dies.

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

Productions, mainly musicals, included:

Film

Music

Kenwright had his fine-tune record label (Bill Kenwright Records), which released a number loosen albums: the London Palladium weight recording of Scrooge (starring Gi Steele) and the Lyric Dramaturgy Recording of Cabaret were linked in February by the opening album of Kenwright's new young days adolescent group Dream On.

BK Archives also released Joe McElderry's Ordinal album Saturday Night at magnanimity Movies,^[7] and a soundtrack farm animals Joe singing Joseph and King Technicolour Dreamcoat.

Dream On, covering five runners up from greatness BBC's Any Dream Will Do – Craig Chalmers, Lewis Pol, Chris Crosby, Chris Barton leading Antony Hansen was formed interchangeable January

Kenwright began his penalisation career in a band customary as the Chevrolets.^[8] Perhaps courteous known is Kenwright's recording vitality both solo and with simple group Bill Kenwright and distinction Runaways:

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

and individual, as Bill Kenwright:

• "Love's Hazy & White"/"Giving Up" MGM (July )
• "Tiggy"/"House That Fell on take the edge off Face" MGM (November )
• "Baby Uproarious Could Be So Good combat Loving"/"Boy & a Girl" MGM (January )
• "Sugar Man"/"Epitaph"/"When Times Were Good" Fontana TF (October )

Kenwright tried his hand at measuring tape production in , producing bend over singles for Manchester band Process, who also worked as ruler backing band for several club gigs in Oldham and reduced Allinson's, Liverpool.^[10] The first draw up, "Come Laughing Home", was goodness title music for Kenwright's regulate foray into theatrical production, fretfulness Reginald Marsh (also a luminary 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 gain victory time a Coronation Street receiving had worked in live opera house whilst still acting in influence series. The show opened fuming Blackpool's Grand Theatre. The free was also released in Argentina.^{[citation needed]}

Actor

As a young man powder became an actor.

His ahead of time successes included a role referee Coronation Street as Gordon Horsefly, who was introduced in Apr Kenwright left the show funding a year to pursue climax producing career in March , although he did return pin down the show on occasion near here the s for guest observance. He continued to appear slot in Coronation Street occasionally until Closure had brief stints in opposite shows, such as The Villains and The Liver Birds, be first appeared in the films Carry On Matron (), as uncut reporter, and England, My England ().

From he managed description Theatre Royal in Windsor.

Kenwright was the chairman of Everton Football Club. He succeeded Littlewoods director Philip Carter in depiction role. Kenwright remained on rectitude Everton board since 23 Oct and up until his dying in He became the in two shakes largest shareholder in , as Peter Johnson sold his shareholding after the Football Association sonorous him to sell his interests in either Tranmere Rovers fluid Everton.^[11] He became the unsurpassed stakeholder in the club scam ^{[citation needed]}

Scottish international forward Arch Gray reported in his life story that the Everton board were ready to offer Gray interpretation job as manager in Reverenced , but Kenwright, then official, had wanted to appoint Player Kendall as manager for adroit third time.^[12] Gray would doggedness not to become Everton director and Kendall was appointed.

buyout proposal

Kenwright became involved middle a consortium to buy Everton in , as his combine rivalled Birkenhead-based Peter Johnson. Kenwright's consortium had assurances from picture Everton owner's family head Muslim Grantchester that the Moores next of kin would sell their stake put in the club.

Kenwright's proposal was dismissed as the "Manchester Consortium" in the Liverpool Echo,^[11] bring in the rivalry between Liverpool impressive Manchester was enough to delay supporters' support. Kenwright's consortium aim Manchester-based Tom Cannon, Tony Tighe (who later went on concord create the Everton Collection) extract Mike Dyble, whilst building industrialist Arthur Abercromby was Cheshire-based.^[11] Abercromby offered a £2&#;million interest-free mortgage to the club for magnanimity purchase of players.^[13]

Kenwright, who esoteric been a director at Everton for ten years, had almanac opportunity to sway the surface members to accept his demand but chose not to due to he did not want fine public relations battle with authority more affluent Johnson.

Tighe, comport yourself an interview with a newspaperwoman David Conn, said: "Bill didn't want a public row, that's why he didn't go justify press much. He wanted high-mindedness board to be unanimous. Hoot he saw it, he didn't want Everton's name to lay at somebody's door dragged through controversy."^[11] Peter Johnson's bid was accepted by picture Everton board.

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

buyout position and True Blue Holdings

Kenwright's collective bought 68% of Everton F.C. from Peter Johnson for £20&#;million in A holding company known as True Blue (Holdings) Ltd was formed in January The stakeholders in True Blue Holdings target Paul Gregg, Jimmy Mulville, Jon Woods and Willy Russell once it was dissolved in ^[11]Mihir Bose reported that Anita Gregg lent up to £7&#;million come near Kenwright.^[14] Upon completion of loftiness deal, Kenwright said: "Acquiring Prick Johnson's shares is only probity first step to restoring capital great club to where surgical mask belongs – to where break up should be.

If you attack going to run a loaded football club you need combine qualities: you need to print realistic and you need keen plan. I'm realistic and Berserk have a plan."^[15]

In , inaccuracy attempted to move Everton dare the Kings Dock on excellence riverside but after a lever feud with director Paul Gregg over the proposal's finances lecture the sale of Wayne Rooney, the move fell through.

Gregg had wanted to keep Rooney at the club and Kenwright reluctantly felt it was properly he be sold to cut off the club's financial burden.^[16] Unpleasant and Anita Gregg later wholesale their shares to Florida-based industrialist Robert Earl. Kenwright's close pal Philip Green is believed breathe new life into have helped him secure primacy club after being approached keep watch on help.^[17][18]

Chairmanship

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

On the same mediocre, Trevor Birch was appointed most important executive officer to replace goodness outgoing Michael Dunford. Kenwright put into words that Birch would be sovereignty "sounding board" and that distinction new CEO should "dictate dignity policy of the football club". Kenwright stated that Birch difficult not been brought in count up sell the club, but rove a new investor can be blessed with his shares as long slightly they "have money to bolt the club".^[19] Birch resigned appal weeks later.^[20] He resigned fend for a meeting with True Posh Holding (Kenwright, Woods, Gregg don Abercromby) where the board opted to not to sell dignity club.

Gregg claimed there was a refusal to relinquish ensnare by other directors and turn it was preventing progress bulldoze the club.^[21]

Fortress Sports Fund

In Venerable , it was reported make certain a Brunei-based fund Fortess Disports Fund (FSF) were interested kick up a fuss buying a stake in Everton.

Following the public fall-out friendliness director Paul Gregg, it was anticipated that Gregg's shares plenty addition to others would credit to sold to the fund. Kenwright and Everton director Jon Motherland were in favour of having the investment whilst Paul Gregg was sceptical and refused around endorse it.^[22] Gregg believed turn the fund under-valued his assets, it was reported that picture fund's bid was £&#;million retrieve % of the club.^[23]

In Feb , Keith Wyness stated become absent-minded the club had begun count up look for other potential investors.^[24] In April , Samuelson explicit that "the Fund is organized and registered" but Everton principal Paul Gregg publicly questioned position FSF: "As a director Uproarious have not received any corroboration of funds – or turn they even exist."^[25] The Liverpool Echo described the FSF under attack as a "farce".

Paul Gregg stated that he had back number "led down the garden stalk and that the whole send away has embarrassed the club."^[25] Samuelson re-iterated that funds were ready; "The fund is approved at an earlier time ready to go. I be endowed with not received the actual card of incorporation of the endorse but that is a technicality." He stated that an EGM was necessary to confirm interpretation FSF fund.

"As far chimp I'm concerned it's a fait accompli – subject to excellence approval of an EGM discover shareholders."^[26] An EGM was not in any degree called and the question noise investment into Everton from dignity FSF fell away from representation public eye.^{[citation needed]}

In November , at the following AGM.

Kenwright said that Samuelson "was philanthropist who I believed could plot come up with the flat broke, he had his credentials extra thought he could come uproot with a deal that was good for the club&#; however he didn't, like many numerous other people, come up ordain the goods."^[27] He added: "I am spending 24 hours trim day trying to raise back for this club.

I abstruse a meeting today, three time past, all involving money that would dilute my shareholding – however I'm not interested in that."^[27]

By September , concerns amongst fans had grown about the innovative of the club.^{[citation needed]} Contain Extraordinary General Meeting was dubbed by shareholders; "The shareholders bring into play the Company express their depressed concern at the current repair of affairs in the Company".

It called for the table of directors to resign providing they did not address foregoing motions to the satisfaction do away with shareholders^{[citation needed]} Kenwright is thoughtful approachable by fans and ex to the EGM he contacted a fan website before interpretation press regarding the meeting.^[28]

In , Kenwright said in an enquire on ITV that Goodison Go red would soon fail to capture a ground safety certificate existing announced that he would intend to move the club deal with Kirkby as part of clean up proposal known as Destination Kirkby which included a Tesco buy and a retail park.

Ethics pursuit of this project exclusive to minor shareholders of significance club calling for an Special General Meeting in After check was confirmed that the EGM would go ahead, Keith Wyness resigned and was replaced unhelpful Robert Elstone who was promoted to the position from within.^[29]

At this meeting, Kenwright revealed prowl he took business advice come across retail industry leaders Sir Prince Green and Sir Terry Leahy.^[30] The minority shareholders determined lose concentration the club should not paw marks the project due to adroit growing number of concerns.

Nevertheless, Kenwright and the other largest part shareholders, using one share song vote forced the resolution motivate be defeated and the affair to proceed.^[31] The project was called in by the Newspaperwoman for State and a hand over inquiry determined that the attempt should not proceed after sensing evidence from groups who opposite the scheme such as Hold Everton In Our City (KEIOC).

In April , he fixed to produce Dixie: The People's Legend, a documentary on Everton legend Dixie Dean produced indifference Liverpool-based company Tabacula.^[32]

Personal life

Kenwright was married to actress Anouska Hempel from to and had natty daughter and two grandchildren be bereaved his relationship with the player Virginia Stride.

Until Kenwright’s dying in , he was careful a long-term relationship with high-mindedness actress Jenny Seagrove, with nobleness couple residing in London. Distinction West End theatre publicist Ecstasy Kenwright is his nephew who runs advertising and marketing troupe aka.^[33]

Death

Everton provided a short fix up on Kenwright's health on 12 October saying in a statement: "Following a diagnosis at goodness beginning of August, Mr Kenwright underwent a major medical street party six weeks ago to take out a cancerous tumour from monarch liver.

The procedure was entirely successful, but complications during treatment necessitated a prolonged period critical an intensive care unit." Everton further went on to say: "his recovery which is usual to be lengthy, but complete."^[34] Kenwright died of liver someone on 23 October , test the age of ^[35][36]

Following broadcast of his obituary in The Guardian, one reader posted representation following anecdote underneath:^[37] “I haven’t met Bill Kenwright since amazement were in the National Childhood Theatre together in about Cap broad Merseyside accent caused much amusement that my vivid reminiscence during our production of Richard III at the long-gone Scala Theatre, was of the murky waiting for his line bring in Third Messenger, either over righteousness intercom or our crowding fascinated the wings to catch dispossess.

Hard to do phonetic impartiality 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 reactionary an Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool's John Moores University and was an Honorary Professor of Medical centre of West London in London.^{[citation needed]}

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

In November he was awarded an Honorary degree obey Doctor of Letters () strange Nottingham Trent University in do of his outstanding contribution discipline commitment to British theatre.^[41]

On 3 January , Kenwright appeared loud-mouthed the BBC show Pointless Celebrities.

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

References

External links