My friend and former colleague, Jeremy Theophilus, who has died aged 66 of cancer, possessed a rare open sensibility for the arts. His modesty masked passionate curiosity and a wide range of achievements. A theatre designer and artist, he became a gallery director, an independent curator and an internationally regarded writer. When I think of him, I see generosity, and white and blue: his whiter-than-white hair, his blue cotton jackets. And red boots. Self-effacing as he was, you could not miss him.
He was born in Ipswich, Suffolk, the son of Thomas (known as Theo), a naval commander, and his Australian wife, Margot, a teacher and scriptwriter. Jeremy was sent to prep school in Pangbourne, Berkshire, where he met Nick Bicât, son of the artist André Bicât. Jeremy’s friendship with the Bicât family was foundational. After Abingdon school, Jeremy went to art schools in Maidenhead and Portsmouth and then took the Motley theatre design diploma at English National Opera in London.
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