We were very saddened to hear of the passing of George Hall (1942), who died last week after just turning 101. For his birthday, he celebrated by hosting a small soiree at his home in Brighton singing show tunes and playing his white baby grand piano- what a wonder!

Up until the week he passed, George was still teaching students the History of Musical Theatre at his beloved Royal Academy of Music where he taught for the last 30 years. His career as actor, director, composer, writer and teacher spanned 79 years. After training at the Old Vic School, he spent a year in a variety hall double act, as well as appearing at the Old Vic, in repertory theatre and writing and performing revue. From the mid-fifties he worked in television, composing incidental music for plays and working as a music associate on BBC Light Entertainment shows.

George was born in the Polwarth area of Edinburgh on February 5th 1925 and attended Heriots from 1935-42. After six years in the army, he joined the Old Vic Theatre School and graduated in 1951 alongside Dame Joan Plowright and Prunella Scales. To celebrate his 100th birthday last year, George became "the UK's oldest podcaster" in a series on his life and work, for which he was joined by many former students. In his podcast, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to his piano teacher at Heriot’s, crediting them with sparking his passion for theatre and inspiring him to follow his heart into the arts — a path he might never have taken otherwise.

We share our condolences with his family, friends and colleagues. He will be sorely missed.