It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Imogen Perrin (née Kinchin), our former Executive Director, aged 44.
Imogen was Executive Director at Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures from 2018 until she stepped back following her cancer diagnosis in 2022. During her time with the organisation she oversaw a period of significant growth for the company, as well leading the company response through the challenges of Covid: she was a formidable leader, a loyal and devoted colleague and a wonderful friend. All those who knew and worked with her will miss her strength, positivity and enthusiasm terribly.
Matthew Bourne said today:
‘A heartbreaking loss for the New Adventures family. Imogen’s courage, good humour and grace in the face of the unthinkable has been an inspiration to us all. Her legacy will live on for many years in her vision for our company and the many projects that she initiated in her time as Executive Director.
We send all our love and thoughts to her family and many friends and we will continue to celebrate her life through our work and the company that she loved so much.’
Brenda Emmanus, Chair of the Board for New Adventures said:
‘Imogen was a force of nature who did everything with positivity, pride and purpose. A consummate professional, she was an inspirational leader who wanted the best for everyone and looked for good in everything.
Imogen cared deeply about New Adventures, striving to bring all parts together to create an exemplary dance company. She gave her all to serve our team and our audiences. She believed in the power of the arts to transform lives and valued the joy it gave her personally.
Her own life, though tragically short, had an impact on so many in such a glorious way. We have not only lost the visionary former captain of our ship, but New Adventures has lost a beautiful friend.’
Imogen was born in Plymouth in 1979. She attended Notre Dame and Plymstock Schools.
Imogen’s love for theatre developed at a young age joining drama and dance lessons from the age of eight. Her grandfather, Alec Lozynski, whom she adored, was Head Cutter in the Wardrobe department at Theatre Royal Plymouth where he worked for over twenty years. Widely considered as one of the UK’s best cutters, Alec would often sit Imogen and her sister Camilla in the wings of the theatre where their shared love for the performing arts continued to grow.
During the 1990s, Imogen was a proud member of the Theatre Royal Plymouth Youth Music Theatre where she appeared in many productions, but most notably Oh What A Lovely War in 1996.
Following an English Literature degree in Cardiff, Imogen returned to Plymouth in 2002 to start her career in the Education department at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in addition to freelance contracts in the Learning team at the National Theatre.
Imogen moved to London in 2004 to take up a post at East London’s Half Moon Young People’s Theatre. From producing children’s theatre across the capital, Imogen moved to Act Productions in 2006 where she worked as Assistant Producer on many productions including Edward Scissorhands and Boeing, Boeing.
Imogen moved to the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith in 2008 to be Line Producer on the Broadway transfer of Spring Awakening. She remained at the Lyric Hammersmith until 2017 working as Sean Holmes’ Senior Producer on all Lyric productions, tours and transfers.
Imogen was most latterly Executive Director of Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, overseeing significant growth of the company and leading the dance sector through its COVID response.
Ever one to give back, Imogen joined Theatre Royal Plymouth Board of Trustees in February 2020; a role she relished.
Imogen was diagnosed with Stage 4 Bowel Cancer in March 2022. Following her diagnosis, Imogen inspired all who knew her with her resilience and determination to live fully, and with joy, during her treatment.
She is survived by her husband, George; their three children, Arthur, Orson and Audrey; her mother, Barbara, her father, Christopher and her sister Camilla as well as the many friends and colleagues who adored her as much as she adored them.
Imogen Perrin (née Kinchin). Born, 22 September 1979. Died, 27 March 2024.
