Renowned British theatre director and composer Claire van Kampen has passed away at the age of 71, as confirmed by her husband, actor Sir Mark Rylance.
Van Kampen, the first female musical director at both the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, died on Saturday following a battle with cancer, according to a statement shared on behalf of Sir Mark and her daughter Juliet.
Described as “one of the funniest and most inspiring women” by her family, van Kampen leaves behind an extraordinary legacy in the arts.
Her theatre credits include writing the Olivier-nominated play Farinelli And The King, which starred her husband and received critical acclaim, earning multiple Tony and Olivier Award nominations.
She passed away in the German town of Kassel, surrounded by her family, on the same day as Sir Mark’s 65th birthday.
“We thank her for imbuing our lives with her magic, music, laughter, and love,” her family expressed in their statement, adding a poignant tribute: “Ring the bell, sound the trumpets reverie, something is done, something is beginning. One of the great wise ones has passed.”
Van Kampen married Sir Mark in 1989, the same year she composed the music for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Hamlet, in which he starred.
Her career spanned decades, including composing original scores for Broadway productions like True West, Boeing-Boeing, La Bête, and Shakespeare adaptations such as Twelfth Night and Richard III.
A graduate of the Royal College of Music in London, where she studied music theory and piano, van Kampen joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1986 and the National Theatre in 1987.
She later became an artistic associate to Sir Mark at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
Her roles included serving as Globe associate and senior research fellow for early modern music, as well as a creative associate at the Old Vic Theatre.
Her work extended to television, where she served as a Tudor music advisor and arranger for the BBC series Wolf Hall.
Van Kampen’s personal life was marked by both joy and tragedy; she had two daughters with her first husband, architect Christopher van Kampen.
Her daughter Nataasha, a filmmaker, tragically passed away in 2012 at the age of 28 from a brain hemorrhage.
Claire van Kampen’s unparalleled contributions to theatre, her groundbreaking achievements, and her unwavering dedication to her craft have left an indelible mark on the arts.
Her magic, humor, and love will continue to inspire generations.
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