West End theatres to dim lights in memory of ‘acting giant’ Sir Patrick Stewart

West End theatres will dim their lights in memory of “one of the greatest stage actors”, Sir Patrick Stewart, who died aged 86.

Sir Patrick, famed for his role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, died at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday following a “brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia”, it was announced on social media.

Sir Patrick Stewart died at his home aged 86 (Isabel Infantes/PA)

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He returned to the RSC as Prospero in a 2006 production of The Tempest, which was followed up with a West End run the following year.

His later stage work also included a West End and Broadway run of Waiting For Godot alongside Sir Ian McKellen.

Theatres in London’s West End will dim their lights for two minutes on Tuesday November 3 at 7pm in honour of the actor and his acclaimed decades-long career.

Hannah Essex, co-chief executive of the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre, said: “The theatre industry is mourning the loss of one of the greatest stage actors this country has ever seen.

“Sir Patrick Stewart was an acting giant whose seven-decade career is testament to his extraordinary talent and presence.

“We are proud to be able to pay tribute to him and extend our condolences to his loved ones.”

Sir Patrick Stewart appeared in up to 60 productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company (Myung Jung Kim/PA)

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Born in Mirfield, West Yorkshire in 1940, Sir Patrick’s career included movies, TV and theatre, including 16 years with the RSC, and acting on stage well into his 60s.

He shot to international fame when he originated the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987.

The sci-fi TV series ran for seven years, with films Star Trek Generations in 1994 and Star Trek: First Contact in 1996.

He was also known for appearing in the X-Men franchise and films including Excalibur (1981), Dune (1984) and Jeffrey (1995).

The actor was knighted in 2010 for services to drama and won a number of accolades over the course of his career including four Emmy nominations and two supporting actor Olivier awards for Shakespeare plays – Antony and Cleopatra in 1979 and Hamlet in 2009.