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John Ashford

2000 – 2023

British theatre director

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About John Ashford

Lived 2000 – 2023. John Ashford was a British theatre director, editing staff, theatre critic and theatre manager.

John Ashford (6 July 1944 – 17 December 2023) was a British contemporary dance producer who was Director of Aerowaves, the European network for research and presentation of emerging dance companies, which he founded in 1997.

John Ashford was the first theatre editor at Time Out. He subsequently became Manager of the Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court Theatre, at a time when it was producing the early plays of Sam Shepard and Caryl Churchill, and Richard O'Brien's Rocky Horror Show. He was then appointed Director of the Theatre at the ICA, promoting seasons of experimental theatre, performance work and new rock bands. In 1985, he brought the Canadian dance company La La La Human Steps to London.

As Theatre Director of The Place in London from 1986 to 2009, Ashford was instrumental in the growth of contemporary dance's popularity in the UK.

In 2002, Ashford was appointed a CBE for services to dance. He died from prostate cancer on 17 December 2023, at the age of 79.

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Important facts

Born
2000
Birth century
Nationality
Awards
Commander of the Order of the British Empire

People in John Ashford's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John Ashford's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Ashford?

British theatre director (1944–2023)

When was John Ashford born?

John Ashford was born in 2000.

When did John Ashford die?

John Ashford died on 17 December 2023.

What was John Ashford's occupation?

John Ashford was a theatre director, editing staff, theatre critic and theatre manager.

What nationality was John Ashford?

John Ashford was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Ashford

· Wikidata: Q6219574

· DBpedia: John Ashford

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Ashford. https://biography.guide/john-ashford/

MLA: "John Ashford." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-ashford/.

Chicago: "John Ashford." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-ashford/.

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