Claire van Kampen, Pioneering Composer and Wife of Mark Rylance, Dies at 71

Theater director and first female musical director at the Shakespeare Company passed away on her husband’s 65th birthday after battling cancer.

Claire van Kampen, a celebrated composer, playwright, and director, died in Kassel, Germany, surrounded by family on January 18, 2025.
She was the first woman to serve as musical director for both the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, breaking barriers in the theater world.
Van Kampen collaborated extensively with her husband, Sir Mark Rylance, including on the Tony-nominated play 'Farinelli and the King,' which she wrote.
Her career included composing music for numerous Shakespearean productions at the Globe Theatre, where she worked for over 20 years.
Van Kampen is survived by her husband, her daughter Juliet Rylance, and a legacy of groundbreaking contributions to theater and music.