Responding to the news of André Ptaszynski’s death, Gregory Doran, RSC Artistic Director and Catherine Mallyon, Executive Director said:

We were deeply shocked to hear yesterday of the unexpected death of André Ptaszynski. André was a leading figure in the West End and wider entertainment industry for decades – producing shows across the world, running theatres and passionately and tirelessly representing the industry on boards and other forums.

For the RSC he was, with Denise Wood, one of the two Executive Producers for Matilda The Musical. He came on board during the original run in Stratford-upon-Avon as we began to set up the London transfer and subsequently helped steer the show to its incredible global success across the last decade. 

His irrepressible charm, humour, laser instinct and clear sighted business sense (and endless theatrical anecdotes) made him one the most successful and admired Producers of recent times. André’s unbounded love for Matilda The Musical, his endless commitment, his total support for everyone involved in all the productions, and his joy in sitting in audiences across the world, was inspiring. And very special.

He will be deeply missed by us and the entire industry as we start to process this tragic news. Our thoughts are with his wife Judith, his children and his family at this most difficult of times.