1925–2020 · South African-born British journalist, songwriter & lyricist
Kretzmer was a journalist and theatre critic who also wrote pop lyrics, including hits for Charles Aznavour. In 1985 producer Cameron Mackintosh commissioned him, on short notice, to write the English-language libretto for the French musical Les Misérables. Kretzmer read Victor Hugo's novel and a literal translation of the French show, then wrote substantial new English lyrics rather than a direct translation.