The Old Vic remembers Claire van Kampen

We are saddened to hear of the loss of Claire van Kampen. A celebrated composer, musical director, writer and director, Claire was appointed an Old Vic Associate by Artistic Director Matthew Warchus in 2015.  

Claire was the first woman to be a musical director at both the Royal Shakespeare Company (in 1986) and the National Theatre (in 1987). 

At The Old Vic, Claire was composer for I Am Shakespeare which received a special staged reading in 2022, written and performed by her husband Sir Mark Rylance. She was a supporter of The Old Vic, acting as a Bicentenary Ambassador during our celebrations in 2018. 

Matthew Warchus said: 

‘Claire wrote brilliant music for seven of my productions. She was a virtuoso musician and a great collaborator. I liked her enormously, as did many others. She will be deeply missed.’