In 1989, my friend Jon French’s life changed irrevocably when he was involved in a car accident that injured his spine and left him a permanent wheelchair user. He had previously worked as a structural engineer but, keen to get back to some kind of physical activity, in 1991 he was a founder member of an integrated dance group called Candoco, which has become a world-leading professional inclusive dance company. Jon, who has died aged 56 of pneumonia, went on to tour the world with Candoco, expanding perceptions of what dance can be.
On leaving Candoco in 2000, Jon was keen to explore a different area of performing arts: theatre. He was introduced to Face Front, a newly established disability focused theatre group based in Enfield, London. He was soon acting and directing for Face Front, as well as running workshops and looking after the finances.
Working in partnership with the company’s artistic director (now its associate director) Annie Smol, Jon played a pivotal role in transforming the group into a leading inclusive theatre company. Through its involvement in community groups and training, schools tours and festivals, Face Front has transformed thousands of lives, improving emotional wellbeing and addressing social injustice.
In 2017 Jon became executive director at Face Front, and as his co-CEO I was given a front-row seat to witness how incredibly gifted he was. A fantastic actor and director, he was equally strong behind the scenes: overseeing all the finances, legal processes and IT systems that are so vital for a small arts charity. I also got to know Jon as a friend.
He was born in Enfield, north London, to Dennis French, an engineer, and Sheila Leavy, an IT assistant. Jon attended Winchmore secondary school, before studying civil engineering at Manchester University and going on to become a structural engineer with the Arup group.
He loved his garden, going to gigs and the theatre and was also a lifelong Arsenal fan. As a season-ticket holder, he could regularly be found in the stands at the Emirates Stadium.
Throughout his life he remained close to his family, and played a big part in the lives of his nephew, Adam, and nieces, Amelie and Daisy. Jon’s father died in 2020. He is survived by his mother and his sister, Sarah, and by Adam, Amelie and Daisy.
