ANDREW MCKINNON
The impresario Andrew McKinnon passed away suddenly on 21st February 2023 at the age of 70. His family released the following statement.
Andrew dedicated his life to the arts; his enthusiasm and love for music and theatre is celebrated by all who knew him.
Andrew McKinnon is a former lawyer and ABC journalist who, in 1986, established what has become one of Australia’s most respected commercial production houses specialising in fine entertainment.
Andrew presented many of world’s greatest singers, actors, and musicians in a wide range of theatrical and operatic performances, concerts and recitals throughout Australia and New Zealand. He has also taken productions to Canada and the United States.
Some of Andrew’s highlights have included immensely popular tours of Dickens’ Women, starring Miriam Margolyes and John Martin; a fully imported American production of the Gershwin opera Porgy and Bess; the world’s greatest mime Marcel Marceau; a presentation in the Avery Fisher Hall at the Lincoln Center, New York, of Scotland The Brave; a concert tribute to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at Sydney Opera House; tours by Larry Adler, the Vienna Boys’ Choir, classical guitar superstar Milos, cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason with his remarkable siblings, pianists David Helfgott, Piers Lane, Jayson Gillham, Alexander Gavrylyuk, Guy Noble; and leading opera stars including Victoria de los Angeles, Nicolai Gedda, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Sir Thomas Allen, Sumi Jo, Joseph Calleja, Teresa Berganza, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, David Hobson, Joan Carden, Yvonne Kenny, Inessa Galante, Nicole Car, Etienne Dupuis and Greta Bradman.
Andrew’s commitment to the development of the arts in Australia and his generosity to young performers and producers will always be remembered.
Miriam Margolyes has written the following.
"There are no words to describe my loss. His belief in me and in my work allowed me to present DICKENS’ WOMEN and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING MIRIAM, both with John Martin, throughout Australia and New Zealand. His integrity, taste, generosity were limitless. He adored theatre and music, supported Art and artists everywhere. He relished friendship and celebrated excellence wherever he found it. Australia has him to thank for countless great artists he brought over from Marcel Marceau to the Kanneh-Mason family. I loved him with all my heart. Andrew - Thankyou. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."
Paul Dellit contributed the following.
"I am absolutely devastated and shocked to hear of the sudden passing of my friend and industry colleague Andrew McKinnon.
"The respect and admiration I have for him is endless. I am so lucky to have known Andrew and worked with him. Just some of my favourite moments with Andrew were acting as the MC for his 60th Birthday (which featured David Helgott and the Vienna Boys Choir); being invited as his guest to see An Evening with Bea Arthur which he produced in Sydney and getting to meet her afterwards; leading a post show Q&A with Miriam Margolyes after a performance of Dicken’s Women; and hosting a fundraising high tea with Dame Patricia Routledge for the Actors’ Benevolent Fund.
"Last year I presented his show The King and Guy, featuring Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Guy Noble at the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre in Bundaberg.
"Andrew’s industry knowledge and passion for the arts was second to none. The love and care he showed for his artists was first rate. I shall be forever grateful that he generously shared his knowledge with me and privileged that he often sought my advice.
"I had a missed call from him last week, a call I will never get to return.
"Sending love and deepest condolences to family, friends and colleagues.
Rest in Peace my friend "
The family will provide details of a funeral service for Andrew in due course.