John Ashford

Passionate and principled, John was your go-to man if you wanted a snappy title for something - his own weren't bad: Spring Loaded, Resolution... Engaged and thoughtful, but with a good dollop of humour to boot - thank you John for everything you did for the performing arts - you certainly made a difference.

Dear John, I was just about to move to the US for the first time when I heard of your passing. It had been on my mind, once I got there, to message you to hear your insights on dance in the US. I felt I already knew what your response would be - a stipulation that you were not an expert in it, followed by a great number of specific and informed insights into dance in the US today and how it has changed over time. Any things that I had noticed from starting to attend classes and rehearsals, you would also respond to with generosity and respect. I always felt, as I know many did, that you would always be keen to hear my perspective on things; you would be open, curious and probing, and I would always leave our conversations hoping that I would someday amass the insights and experiences that you had. You are missed.

I will never forget John. He really did try to find me somewhere to belong, and if he hadn’t introduced me to Janet Archer I would never have found my way to a spiritual home in the North East. John supported, guided and sometimes challenged vigorously. I will never forget the extreme silence he sometimes greeted me with after he saw a new piece of work. And how with one piece he shut his eyes preferring to listen to one of his favourite songs in my work, but admittedly not watch the solo I made to it! (I had to have humility and a sense of humour, which is no bad thing to practice ) He did see something in me sometimes, and defended the progress. John was an unforgettable man, who I am eternally glad I met and worked with. It was an honour to be one of The Place Resident Artists in 1995//96, and this gave me some extraordinary experiences, and a pivotal launching for balletLORENT, and our first full length work in Spring Loaded. Wha an opportunity - and a future… I’m still working with extraordinary Caroline Reece who took the lead role in that trio nearly 30 years ago. Thanks John, for everything . Liv xx

John was a bold and passionate man with a vision for the arts and for social change. He was kind , critical, provocative and fun . He played a vey decisive role in the life of our company and we shall always be very grateful to him and remember him with much affection . He was a true dance hero. and a national treasure.

When John took over The Place Theatre he transformed it: his leadership was bold, determined, charismatic, sensitive and above all creative – as it was in all his roles, from Time Out through to Aerowaves. John was one of my great mentors and teachers about contemporary dance; he shaped my understanding and supported me in learning how to support and present artists. He was one of the great inspirational leaders of contemporary performance artists of his generation. His never-ending commitment to watching and supporting the work of artists at the start of their careers means that it is generations of dance-makers and champions who owe John the greatest debt of gratitude. We miss him enormously.

I was a student at LSCD when I first met you; trying to watch as much of your theatre programme as I could. You were a legend even in 1991. Eiko and Koma I will never forget. Forward 20 or so years I was so lucky to become your colleague. What you did for contemporary dance is incomparable. How you did it even more so. The sun and moon? A lighthouse perhaps? A beacon? An engine? My dance – dad? and always very much a human being. A human being with endless capacity for conversation and curiosity; for investing in artists and young people. Visionary, unparalleled in pure passion for the form, for dialogue, criticality. For taking risk, activism. Supporting female makers; driving international collaboration; always testing out new ideas. Your leaving do at The Place; all those t-shirts coming off one by one, the joy, the passion the rage – undimmed! Then Aerowaves; without doubt THE single most important source of my inspiration over 15 years at the helm at Yorkshire Dance. An evening spent outside a theatre was a wasted opportunity: conversations about new work until deep in the night; in fact: us watching dance shows until gone midnight! All those Aerowaves videos: You set the bar high John! We are all so indebted to you, you are much missed but your uncompromising commitment and humanity lives on in us. Thank you for being there, in all your kindness, generosity, knowledge and sheer stubborn love for dance of the now.

Thank you for sharing your passion about dance - you certainly broadened my definition!. I have brilliant memories of the cutting edge work you brought to us. One memory is still so clearly with me is an urgent call from John when I was at London Arts Board in the late 1990's saying we have to meet today. He rode over immediately on his bike to discuss an amazing idea then as he was leaving the office he said- mark my words, dance will be in every advert on moving screens throughout the underground. How right you were - what foresight you had. Rest in peace John.

I didn't know John very well, but he was always a positive and inspiring presence, something of an "eminence grise". I have always been aware of his importance to the contemporary performing arts and those who make work. He was one of the major forces in championing new theatre as well as dance over many decades. His impact has been immense and his legacy extraordinary. He will be so missed by so many. My sympathies to Megumi and his close friends.