Stage pioneer Littlewood dies aged 87

Joan Littlewood, the mother of modern theatre, has died at the age of 87.

Regarded by many as one of the greatest directors in post-war Britain, Littlewood will be remembered above all as founder of the Theatre Workshop, the improvisational company which opened up stage opportunities for the working classes.

Raised in humble circumstances in Stockwell, south London, she grew up to be a passionate iconoclast, championing anti-establishment causes and fighting to represent the concerns of ordinary people on stage.

With her long-time love Gerry Raffles in tow, she founded her workshop at the Theatre Royal, Stratford, describing it as a "place where people could act happily".

By far her most famous production was Oh What A Lovely War, a play which, to her, summed up the experiences of the foot soldiers whose perspective was seldom reflected in other accounts of 20th-century warfare.

Last night, friends and former colleagues queued up to praise her pioneering, subversive spirit.

The actress Sheila Hancock said: "She was life-changing for me. I was an unfashionable actress, because I was fairly plain and I had a cockney accent, but she gave me hope. In those days, you had to be pretty and have a middle-class accent.

"There haven't been many biographies of her, so I do hope she is not going to be forgotten. It would be terrible if she were overlooked in the history of British theatre."

Once described by Kenneth Tynan as "one of the two great innovative directors since the Second World War" (the other being Peter Brook), Littlewood is also credited with helping launch the careers of Richard Harris, Barbara Windsor and Harry H Corbett.

Philip Hedley, the current artistic director of the Theatre Royal, Stratford, said last night: "She was a complete paradox. She could be so kind to work with, but also tough. She was an inspiration."

Perhaps the greatest tribute to her was made by the late Sir Nigel Hawthorne in his autobiography, Straight Faith, in which he said: "Littlewood was the most important influence in my life.

"I owe her everything, even though sometimes what was achieved struggled through the swirling mists of confusion and was frequently acrimonious.

"Her encouragement stimulated me and transformed my work as an actor. She taught me to be truthful."

Ms Littlewood died in her sleep on Friday during a visit to her assistant, Peter Rankin, at his London home.