ONE of the West End's most influential producers, Toby Rowland, died
yesterday aged 77 after a long battle against cancer.
Born in Montana, he went to New York to make his fortune in the
theatre after college.
His first production was in New York in 1938 at The Playroom Club, off
Broadway, which he co-founded.
He had spells in Hollywood, where he was encouraged by James Cagney.
He moved to London in 1950.
He produced Summertime in 1955 with Dirk Bogarde and Geraldine McEwan;
Shadow Of Heroes with Peggy Ashcroft and Emlyn Williams, and Brouhaha,
with Peter Sellers, both in 1958.
Lord Snowdon said: ''I knew him first in the 1950s when I was a young
unknown photographer and he did so much to help and encourage me. He
would give opportunities to everyone.
''He was a great patron of the arts and a great theatre producer and
he will be missed dreadfully by everyone in the profession and
outside.''
Actress and director Thelma Holt said: ''I can't afford the indulgence
of saying I will miss him because I can't bear the thought of him not
being there.
''He was enormously generous and he was really the last of the great
producers who worked with all the glamorous stars.''
Theatre agent Sue Hyman said the lights would be dimmed in theatreland
as a tribute to the man from Montana.
His wife, Millie, who nursed him through his lengthy illness during
which he was fitted with a voice box, was with him when he died.
He retired in 1984 as a director of Stoll Moss Theatres. A memorial
service is being planned for later this year.
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