Internationally-recognised theatre icon James Lee Wah has died at 89.

The San Fernando-based pioneer in the arts died on Saturday. He was a former student, teacher and vice-principal (from 1966–1989) of Naparima College (fondly called Naps).

In 1980, he founded the National Drama Association  (NDATT) – a non-profit organisation. In 1976 he co-founded the San Fernando Theatre Workshop and served as its director for most of its existence.