He first came to British Theatre Guide’s attention as a London critic for the now-defunct Rogues and Vagabonds. Although quiet and unassuming, Howard was both warm and immensely knowledgeable.
When that website ceased publication, we were fortunate to recruit Howard before anyone else could. He went on to review regularly for BTG for almost two decades, while also distinguishing himself as an active member of the Critics’ Circle Drama Section.
He was the dream signing: a critic who knew his subject inside out, could vividly recall performances and productions spanning almost eight decades, and had none of the prima donna tendencies of those interested only in reviewing the biggest names and West End productions.
Howard was just as keen to see something that caught his eye at the Orange Tree or Jermyn Street Theatre as he was to visit the National Theatre or the RSC. He could always be relied upon to produce insightful, carefully considered and impeccably fair reviews. Indeed, he was almost certainly the only BTG critic never to attract a complaint about a review during his entire time with us.
In addition to writing for BTG, Howard was the driving force behind the Theatre Book Prize for many years, chairing its judging panel as the Society for Theatre Research’s committee representative.
His career reflected an extraordinary range of interests, primarily—but by no means exclusively—in the arts. As his biography makes clear, he acted, worked backstage in theatres, practised as a journalist and became an editor for several distinguished publishers.
Howard’s remarkable versatility is perhaps best illustrated by his bibliography. According to Wikipedia, alongside a volume entitled Theatre and two books on Shakespearean themes, he wrote no fewer than 15 books about cats. He also published works on dogs, birds and horses, as well as subjects as diverse as the circus, the Battle of Agincourt, the assassination of President Kennedy, saints, angels and railways.
Even after stepping down from the Theatre Book Prize on reaching his nineties, Howard remained an active reviewer for BTG into the spring of 2026.
