Philip was quite simply the most extraordinary person I ever met.

The term Genius is bandied around too easily perhaps, but I am convinced that Philip was just that, a genius with the most valuable portfolio of gifts. His loyalty, friendship, humour, perception, integrity, and ability to embrace, laugh and love life were just some of them.

From the moment he breezed into LAMDA where I was a student in the mid-1960’s with his high-pitched giggle and love of everything anarchic and eccentric, he changed my life entirely as he did so many lives throughout his extraordinary journey.

He was a formidable force of nature, and the world is just a little smaller now that he has exited the stage. 

I first met Philip a few years back when he was offering free Shakespeare workshops at the TRSE for young people on housing benefits or jobseekers allowance. He led the session with such irreverence and wit, was so engaging, that I couldn't help but try to keep the session going a little longer by badgering him with questions at the end. 

I think he sensed a bit of the lost boy in me - he took me under his wing and I never looked back. He persuaded me to apply for drama school, took me to the theatre countless times (something I'd never really been able to do before) and handed me the most incredible theatre education I could have asked for, over many gossipy dinners in the TRSE bar. 

When I rang him to say I'd somehow managed to get a final recall at RADA, he told me to meet him outside the TRSE and said we'd find a little room somewhere to go over my speeches. I arrived, only to discover he'd spent his morning secretly persuading the stage manager to lend us the entire theatre for the afternoon and I found myself walking onto the main stage, lights dimmed, giving my best Henry IV, with Philip perching up in the circle echoing down directions - "And again, but this time own the entire room!"

I got into RADA, which I credit to him and it was the start of my life as an actor. And my start in a completely new life, essentially. 

I brought in Philip one week to give a lecture to our year on Joan Littlewood, which he of course loved, as did we all. And when I graduated and landed my first telly gig, he was the very first person I thought to message. He of course watched it all, with many supportive emails after each episode aired. 

He would have done anything, if he thought it would have helped in some way. 

His life is full of people with stories like mine. What a rarity. Never asking anything in return for his advice and guidance; simply because he knew the effect that art can have in people's lives, the good that it can do. He was fierce in his defence of it. 

I'm honoured to have known him and to have been his friend. 

RIP, you wonderful man. 

Philip transformed many lives and his passion for theatre, politics and community created opportunities that changed my life too.  When I left college, I moved to Stratford drawn by the work of Joan Littlewood. Sadly, I arrived about two months too late to meet her, but when Philip arrived, he taught me what Theatre could and should be with true ‘Littlewood’ integrity.

In the summer of 1981, he gave my colleague Brenda McHugh and me the Theatre Royal for the summer to run a project with young people.  Working with playwright Tunde Ikoli and about seventy-five young people we created and performed A Time For Celebration. The play focussed on the experiences of young people and the hardship of living under the Thatcher government when young and unemployed.  Philip ensured the young people always had professional support, including with their publicity, resulting in the play becoming the focus of a Panorama programme and a debate in parliament.  All of which was down to Philip’s attitude of valuing the local community and giving the unheard both an opportunity and a voice.  This led to many future collaborations and exciting opportunities including two London Young Playwright Festivals.

Philip was always inspirational and so very supportive.  He never lost his passion and determination to make Stratford East a jewel in the heart of East London for both the local community and theatre goers in general.   Thankyou Philip.  You truly were a wonderful friend and a living legend. 

From Lesley Duff: 

Philip gave me the happiest time of my career, when he cast me in Happy As A Sandbag. I had never been to drama school, but I certainly felt that I had once I worked with Philip. He gave me the courage to dare. His humour ,understanding and kindness never wavered. I remember wonderful days in his flat at University Street Full of laughter, where we would read plays and be fed by the wonderful Lois. Rest well Philip, you deserve it.

With fondest love.

Lesley 

‘76 Happy As A Sandbag: Ambassadors Theatre. 

Those were Hedley days! Fond memories. 

 Vincent. 

I got a call from Philip wanting to pick my brains about a particular time during his tenure at TRSE. I suspected he may have dialled me in error however it was lovely to hear from him. I was in France at the time, early 2020 touring a play about Nina Simone . “Nina Simone?” Philip quizzed, and immediately started telling me about how he had met Nina Simone through his stepfather, who I believe was a Music promoter/ producer and had a record label. He talked in detail of first meeting Nina, of her staying with them and seeing her perform live and noted how extraordinary she was on stage.

Thinking back to our phone call and on various conversations I’d had with Philip , he was always very thoughtful, purposeful and deliberate when using words, and always listening, a great listener. I found Philip incredibly selfless, he gave me plenty food for thought and gave me and so many others the environment to thrive in. A True Champion for supporting those who may otherwise not be heard.

Thank you Philip, for being The Change. Xxx

I have many fond memories of Philip as a director and a superb producer who loved and understood the community in which he worked. But I would also like to stress Philip's tireless efforts as a campaigner for better funding of the arts: not just in his own patch but throughout the UK. Over the years I must have received a mass of documents from him urging the Arts Council and other funding bodies to honour their commitment to make the arts available to everyone. In his role as a spokesperson for theatre and the arts, he will be very hard to replace.