I am deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of my radical mentor, Philip Hedley—a risk-taker who believed in a small-town dreamer with wild publicity ideas. His generosity and visionary rule-breaking transformed lives and taught me about the essence of risk and trust. His historical legacy, pioneering diversity and inclusion before it became a trend, remains ahead of its time.
Arguably, Borkowski would not exist if it weren’t for a chance meeting back in 1980. In the early 1980s, Theatre Royal Stratford East’s then-artistic director, Philip Hedley, took a chance by giving an ambitious 20-year-old wannabe publicist a job. That publicist was me.
While most theatres hesitated to embrace change in the early 1980s, Stratford was charting a different course. It was a time when black and Asian audiences were often overlooked by the mainstream, deemed neither “sexy” nor relevant by most other theatres. However, Philip Hedley was a visionary who resisted conventional thinking. – new work reflecting Newham, the most multicultural borough in Britain. It took ten years for the Arts Council to catch on. Philip had already ticked all the boxes before they even thought of boxes.
With unwavering dedication, he tirelessly worked to develop theatre productions that resonated with Stratford East’s diverse communities. He saw the beauty and richness in the stories and perspectives that had long been marginalised.
Philip’s unyielding commitment to artistic vision and to support burgeoning talent set him apart. He did not wait for the approval of others; instead, he boldly committed to staging productions on the first available date, underscoring his belief in the power of the stories being told.
Philip was an astonishing agitator; he constantly organised campaigns against any cuts in arts funding mooted by the government or the Arts Council England. He urged theatres not to cut back on adventurous programming. He would occasionally stage an expensive show if he felt there were aesthetic and social reasons justifying the taking of the risk.
Philip Hedley’s historical legacy is a testament to his pioneering spirit in championing diversity and inclusion long before it became a popular trend. He was a trailblazer, leading the way when others hesitated. His impact on the world of theatre and his lasting contribution to the cause of inclusivity will continue to reverberate for generations to come.
Let us honour Philip’s legacy by continuing to push boundaries, embracing diversity in all its forms, and ensuring that marginalised voices are heard and celebrated.
Arguably, Borkowski would not exist if it weren’t for a chance meeting back in 1980. In the early 1980s, Theatre Royal Stratford East’s then-artistic director, Philip Hedley, took a chance by giving an ambitious 20-year-old wannabe publicist a job. That publicist was me.
While most theatres hesitated to embrace change in the early 1980s, Stratford was charting a different course. It was a time when black and Asian audiences were often overlooked by the mainstream, deemed neither “sexy” nor relevant by most other theatres. However, Philip Hedley was a visionary who resisted conventional thinking. – new work reflecting Newham, the most multicultural borough in Britain. It took ten years for the Arts Council to catch on. Philip had already ticked all the boxes before they even thought of boxes.
With unwavering dedication, he tirelessly worked to develop theatre productions that resonated with Stratford East’s diverse communities. He saw the beauty and richness in the stories and perspectives that had long been marginalised.
Philip’s unyielding commitment to artistic vision and to support burgeoning talent set him apart. He did not wait for the approval of others; instead, he boldly committed to staging productions on the first available date, underscoring his belief in the power of the stories being told.
Philip was an astonishing agitator; he constantly organised campaigns against any cuts in arts funding mooted by the government or the Arts Council England. He urged theatres not to cut back on adventurous programming. He would occasionally stage an expensive show if he felt there were aesthetic and social reasons justifying the taking of the risk.
Philip Hedley’s historical legacy is a testament to his pioneering spirit in championing diversity and inclusion long before it became a popular trend. He was a trailblazer, leading the way when others hesitated. His impact on the world of theatre and his lasting contribution to the cause of inclusivity will continue to reverberate for generations to come.
Let us honour Philip’s legacy by continuing to push boundaries, embracing diversity in all its forms, and ensuring that marginalised voices are heard and celebrated.