Matthew Bourne pays tribute to professional dancer killed in motorbike crash hours before final show
Choreographer Matthew Bourne has paid tribute today to the professional dancer who was killed in a motorbike accident just hours before he was due to perform in the final show of a London musical.
Bourne, who create the musical that Jonathan Ollivier was due to perform in, described the dancer as "one of the most charismatic and powerful dancers of his generation".
Ollivier, 38, was on his motorbike when he collided with a black Mercedes saloon car shortly after 11am on Sunday.
The driver of the car was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has since been bailed.
Mr Ollivier was due to appear in the final performance of The Car Man at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London.
His sister, Rachel Ollivier, wrote on Facebook: "To all my beautiful little bro friends, it is with a heavy heart that we have to tell you that Jon tragically died today. We love him and will miss him massively xx".
Mr Ollivier, from Northampton, played the lead role of Luca in Matthew Bourne's show, based loosely based on Georges Bizet's opera Carmen and set in 1960s America.
His performance and been praised by critics, with The Telegraph's Rachel Ward writing that he brought "brooding power and the danger of a matador" to the role.
He had previously won plaudits for playing The Swan in Bourne's all-male Swan Lake.
Police said the fatal crash happened in Farringdon Road, Clerkenwell.
Police, paramedics and an air ambulance crew tried to save his life, but he was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before noon.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "The driver who stopped at the scene was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and is currently in custody at a central London police station.
"Next of kin have been informed. A post-mortem examination will be scheduled in due course."
His fellow cast were said to be "shaken" after the accident and tonight's show by the dance company New Adventures was cancelled.
Theatre-goers were turned away from the door and told by staff the production had been cancelled "due to a tragic accident".
In an email to patrons, the theatre said: "On behalf of the company New Adventures, we regret to inform patrons that tonight's performance of The Car Man at Sadler's Wells has had to be cancelled due to a tragic accident earlier today.
"While due process is being followed we are unable to give further information however we offer our sincere condolences to those concerned.
"New Adventures and Sadler's Wells are sorry for the inconvenience caused to patrons due to attend tonight's performance."
Fans were quick to take to social media to pay tribute to the "talented" dancer.
Rebecca Watt wrote on Facebook: "He was an incredible dancer and a lovely man. My thoughts are with his family and friends xx"