
Claire van Kampen, the acclaimed theatre director and wife of actor Mark Rylance, has passed away surrounded by her loved ones at the age of 71 following a battle with cancer.
- Jan 20, 2025
AceShowbiz - The world of theatre and music was struck with profound sadness following the death of Claire van Kampen, a renowned theatre director, composer, and the beloved wife of actor Mark Rylance. She passed away from cancer on January 18 at the age of 71.
van Kampen, celebrated for her contributions to theatre as the first female musical director at both the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre, passed away surrounded by her family in Kassel, Germany.
"Claire Louise van Kampen, Lady Rylance, has died this morning, Saturday the 18th of January at 11:47, in the ancient town of Kassel, Germany, surrounded by her family," confirmed her family in a statement. Her death coincided with the 65th birthday of her devoted husband, Mark Rylance.
Born in London in 1953, van Kampen started her journey in music began at the Royal College of Music, where she studied piano and music theory. Her distinguished career in theatre started in 1986 when she joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, and shortly after, the Royal National Theatre. It was here that she met Mark Rylance, who would become her partner in both life and professional endeavors.
The couple married in December 1989, and Rylance became a stepfather to Claire's daughters, Juliet and Nataasha, from her previous marriage to Christopher van Kampen. The family faced a tragic loss in 2012 when Nataasha passed away at the age of 28 due to a brain hemorrhage.
Reflecting on Nataasha's passing, Rylance once said, "It's uncharted ground if something tragic like this happens to you. You become aware it has happened to a lot of people. You make your own decisions about how you get through it."
Claire van Kampen's career was a tapestry of creative achievements. She was not only a leader at prominent theatres but also composed original scores for notable productions, including Broadway's "True West," "Boeing-Boeing," and "La Bete." Her works also included adaptations of Shakespeare's classics like "Twelfth Night" and "Richard III."
In recent years, Claire worked as a Globe associate and senior research fellow for early modern music at the Globe Theatre. She was also a creative associate at the Old Vic Theatre in London. Reflecting on their relationship, Rylance shared in 2023, "Claire completely changed my life ... She introduced me to that world of classical and modern music, and it was very much around music that we fell in love."
Claire's family remembered her as "one of the funniest and inspiring women we have ever known," highlighting her ability to fill their lives with "magic, music, laughter, and love." Despite her passing, her legacy continues to resonate both through her contributions to the arts and the enduring memories she created with her family and friends.
As the world remembers Claire van Kampen, we celebrate her trailblazing spirit and the profound impact she had on the world of theatre and beyond. Her life, filled with music and love, remains a testament to her remarkable talent and indomitable spirit.