An integral part of the Academy’s Musical Theatre department, George taught musical theatre history to every cohort at the Academy since the course began in 1997.
His career as actor, director, composer, writer and teacher spanned 79 years. After training at the Old Vic School, he spent a year in a variety hall double act, as well as appearing at the Old Vic, in repertory theatre and writing and performing revue. From the mid-fifties he worked in television, composing incidental music for plays and working as a music associate on BBC Light Entertainment shows.
After a year as resident composer at the Old Vic, he became Director of the Acting Course at Central School of Speech and Drama, a position he held for 25 years.
Gatsby Chair of Musical Theatre, Professor Dan Bowling said:
‘George was an extraordinary teacher and an enduring presence in the Musical Theatre department at the Royal Academy of Music. For decades, he shared his remarkable depth of knowledge, unwavering discipline, and profound love of craft with generations of performers. His teaching was rigorous, inspiring, and rooted in a fierce belief in truth, clarity, and artistic integrity.
‘We were all incredibly fortunate to have benefited from his wisdom, generosity of spirit, and his lifelong dedication to the art of performance. That he was still teaching only a couple of weeks ago here at the Academy speaks volumes about his commitment and passion.
‘George will be deeply missed by everyone at the Academy, and indeed by countless actors across the world whose work bears the imprint of his guidance and example. His legacy lives on in the artists he shaped and the standards he set for excellence.’