Lighting up the King's for Andy

Last night, the King’s was lit up in purple, to mark what would have been Andy’s 62nd birthday.

From 6pm until midnight on Monday 13 September, the King’s Theatre was bathed in purple light in recognition of his famous ‘purple pinky’ – Andy’s own tribute to his mother who always had the little fingernail on her left hand painted purple, her favourite colour. The building also had a bat symbol projected onto the façade in recognition of Andy’s life-long obsession with Batman and comic books.

Andy sadly died in January this year and his loss has been felt throughout the Capital Theatres staff team and of course the many generations of audiences he brought such joy to as a star of the King’s Panto. We wanted to celebrate his life, and the impact he has on all of us: his comic brilliance, professionalism, fun and kindness.

We miss him greatly, and our thoughts and best wishes remain with his family.

This lovely tribute was planned and executed by Capital Theatres Technical Team who, like anyone who worked with him, were keen to celebrate the great man.

Fiona Gibson, CEO of Capital Theatres said:

“Andy was a huge part of the Capital Theatres family. His comic brilliance, professionalism, fun and kindness made him a wonderful colleague as well as a true star for our panto audiences. We miss him greatly and our thoughts and best wishes remain with his family.

 It’s bittersweet as we make plans for this year’s panto, Sleeping Beauty, without Andy, but his legacy of smiles and laughter live on through his co-stars as they return to our stage, and most particularly his daughter Clare who joins the cast this year.

This lovely tribute has been planned and executed by Capital Theatres Technical Team who, like anyone who worked with him, were keen to celebrate the great man.”

Clare Gray, Andy’s Daughter and cast member of Sleeping Beauty, the 2021 King’s Panto said:

“To have dad’s memory on his birthday to be up in lights at the King’s means so much to his family and friends, another sign of how much my dad meant to everyone at the King’s as well as the panto audience. We are so very touched. And to be there this panto season treading the boards of the King’s is such a special thing for me. I know my dad will be watching on from the wings.”