A public fundraising campaign has been launched to raise the final funds needed to create a bronze sculpture of celebrated theatre practitioner Joan Littlewood to be sited outside Theatre Royal Stratford East in Theatre Square.
Amongst those supporting the campaign is actress Barbara Windsor, who worked at the Theatre with Joan Littlewood and who says of the initiative, "I am thrilled to be supporting this campaign in having a sculpture erected to the late, great Joan Littlewood, at last!
"Not only was she a pioneer in British theatre, she also changed my life and career. In my eyes this tribute is long overdue".
Artist Philip Jackson has been commissioned to create a sculpture based on an iconic photograph of Joan Littlewood. The work is due to be installed in the spring of next year to coincide with the Theatre's new production of Oh What A Lovely War.
The final 40% of funding is needed for the sculpture to go ahead. Donations to the campaign may be made online at www.joanlittlewood.com.