OBIT: Aug. 27–Sandy Wilson (Oriel, Oxford)

Sandy Wilson in 1952.

Alexander Galbraith ("Sandy") Wilson was born Manchester, England on May 19, 1924.  He attended Harrow and served in the British Army in the Middle East in World War II. He went up to Oriel College, Oxford and wrote and produced student productions. He attended the Old Vic Theater School.

He wrote the book, lyrics and music for "The Boy Friend", a parody of 1920s musicals. It was a huge success - more than he ever again achieved. It was produced in London in 1953 and then (in an expanded version) in 1954. It was performed 2,100 times. It was picked up in 1954 on Broadway, starring Julie Andrews at 19 in her first Broadway role, running to 480 performance.

Andrews, of course, went on to star next as Eliza Doolittle in the first production of "My Fair Lady", and from there she starred in "Mary Poppins" and "The Sound of Music".

He died in Taunton, England in 2014 on August 27 at 90 years old. He is survived by his partner, Chak Yui.

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