Theatre figures pay tribute to Nobel laureate and playwright Derek Walcott, dead aged 87

Nobel laureate Derek Walcott has died aged 87. The Saint Lucian poet and playwright received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1992 and was best known for his works including the epic poem Omeros, a Caribbean reimagining of Homer's The Odyssey.

Walcott's work as a playwright spanned almost 65 years and included Dream on Monkey Island, produced off-Broadway by the Negro Ensemble Company in 1971 and won an Obie Award for Best Foreign Play.

He also wrote The Capeman with musician Paul Simon, a Latin-infused musical about the life of convicted murderer Salvador Agrón. It premiered on Broadway in 2008 starring Marc Anthony and received three Tony Award nominations.

In his later life he was Professor of Poetry at the University of Essex until 2013. Last year he was among the first recipients of the knighthood by St. Lucia.

A number of theatre figures have paid their respects on Twitter, with Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda quoting lyrics from The Capeman and actress Jade Anouka recalling her time spent working with him on the staging of Omeros at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in 2015.

Derek Walcott & Paul Simon co-wrote lyrics for The Capeman on Bway.
I don't know know who wrote which lyrics, but here are some favorites:

"-Crying, 'Adios hermanos, adios.
Adios, hermanos, adios."
(Forgive me for any errors, writing these from memory.)
RIP Derek Walcott.

We've lost one of the most exciting writers to ever live. Derek Walcott, I salute you. Rest in peace.

Just heard of #DerekWalcott's passing.So sad.I worked with him on staging his brilliant epic poem #Omeros He made me laugh.He was kind to me

Love After Love, by Derek Walcott. RIP. pic.twitter.com/ULrAcjIotk

'Where are your monuments, your battles, martyrs?
….The sea. The sea
has locked them up.The sea is History'
Derek Walcott – loved; missed

Just heard that Derek Walcott died this morn. RIP to a man who understood what it meant to be at home in yourself. https://t.co/18qeKjoEp5