West End Theatre Rich List 2013

The Sunday Times has published its annual Rich List of the UK’s wealthiest people. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2013, the Rich List is the definitive guide to the wealthiest people in Britain and Ireland.

Based on this year’s Rich List, we’ve put together the richest movers and shakers in the West End Theatre industry, including producers and theatre owners, musicians and writers.

RANK	NAME	WEALTH	RISE/FALL	COMMENTARY
1	Cameron Mackintosh	£825m	UP £100m	Cameron has had a good year with the movie version of Les Miserables proving a critical and box-office success, and giving a boost to the London show. Les Mis wlil also make a return to Broadway in 2014. His new production of Barnum playing at Chichester this summer is expected to transfer into the West End. Also expect more movie musicals.
2	Andrew Lloyd Webber	£620m	UP £30m	The Phantom of the Opera continues to do good business for Lloyd Webber with the West End and Broadway productions still running, and Tokyo, Budapest, Hamburg and UK and US tours bringing in money. Last year’s Evita on Broadway starring Ricky Martin did well, as did the UK arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar off the back of an ITV talent search. His recent sale of the Palace Theatre has boosted cash. New musicals in the pipeline include Profumo affair show Stephen Ward and a stage version of School of Rock.
3	Simon Fuller	£375m		We add Simon Fuller into the West End Rich List this year through his involvement in the Spice Girls musical Viva Forever! at the Piccadilly Theatre. Simon Cowell (worth £250m) will earn a place in the list next year when his new musical “X Factor – It’s Time To Face The Musical!” launches in 2014.
4	Elton John	£240m	UP £20m	Elton John’s musical of Billy Elliot continues to perform well in London and on a North America tour, as does Disney’s The Lion King, for which John wrote the music. His forthcoming biopic Rocketman – a movie musical about his early life, through his film company Rocket Pictures, could also make the move to the stage.
5	Tim Rice	£149m		Tim Rice has been busy on his first new musical for over a decade, a stage adaptation of From Here To Eternity, opening at the Shaftesbury Theatre in September 2013. His work with Andrew Lloyd Webber on musicals such as Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar, and with Elton John on Disney’s The Lion King, continue to bring in money for the lyricist.
6	Brian May & Roger Taylor	£95m, £90m		Queen’s rock musical We Will Rock You, based on the band’s back catalogue, continues to defy expectations at the Dominion Theatre in London as it passed its 10 year mark last year and has kicked off a massive World Tour this February. More international productions are planned.
7	Judy Craymer	£65m		Judy Craymer’s attempt to replicate the enormous success of Mamma Mia!, which is playing at the Novello Theatre in London, as well as on Broadway and in multiple other territories, has proved a challenge. Her new musical, Viva Forever! at the Piccadilly Theatre, based on the music of The Spice Girls, didn’t get the same critical and audience reaction as Mamma Mia!, but continues to run and is building its own fanbase.

 

LINKS

Sunday Times Rich List 2013

From Here To Eternity at the Shaftesbury Theatre

The world premiere of Tim Rice’s epic new musical From Here To Eternity comes to the Shaftesbury Theatre in London, adapted from the classic novel by James Jones and the Oscar-winning movie starring Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr.

This gripping tale of illicit love and army life is a breathtaking and romantic show set against the backdrop of Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Even on an army base, love and desire are never very far away as the troubled Private Prewitt falls for the kind-hearted escort club girl Lorene. When his platoon sergeant, Warden, embarks on a dangerous affair with his commanding officer’s wife, Karen, the lives of both men are set on a course they cannot control. As war approaches, the worlds of the four lovers and the soldiers of G Company are dramatically ripped apart ever.

From Here To Eternity marks Tim Rice’s first new stage musical for over ten years. His extraordinary career includes winning 12 Ivor Novello awards, 4 Tonys and 3 Oscars, with musicals including Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita and Chess.

The musical unites the writing talents of Tim Rice (lyrics), Stuart Brayson (music) and Bill Oakes (book), and is directed by Tamara Harvey, designed by Soutra Gilmour and choreographed by Javier De Frutos.

Casting is to be announced.

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Theatre: Shaftesbury Theatre

Jesus Christ Superstar UK Arena Tour: O2 Arena London, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Nottingham

The new arena production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s acclaimed musical Jesus Christ Superstar heads back on the road to The O2 Arena in London, plus Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Nottingham. Stars Tim Minchin, Melanie C, Chris Moyles and Ben Forster.

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary rock classic Jesus Christ Superstar returns to tour the UK this Autumn in a unique Arena Tour production.

Following sell-out performances last year, this spectacular arena musical sees the return of multiple award-winning performer Tim Minchin as Judas, pop icon and former Spice Girl Melanie C as Mary Magdalene and BBC Radio 1′s Breakfast Show host Chris Moyles as King Herod.

Plus the role of Jesus will be played by Ben Forster, winner of ITV’s SUPERSTAR talent show.

The show will tour to the O2 Arena in London, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Nottingham.

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01 OCT
THE HYDRO, GLASGOW
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03 OCT
N.I.A., BIRMINGHAM
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06 OCT
METRO ARENA, NEWCASTLE
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10 OCT
CAPITAL FM ARENA, NOTTINGHAM
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11 OCT
MANCHESTER ARENA, MANCHESTER
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13 OCT
THE O2, LONDON
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15 OCT
ECHO ARENA, LIVERPOOL
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Jesus Christ Superstar DVD released

The DVD and Blu-Ray live recording of Jesus Christ Superstar has been released today.

Following the recent UK arena tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s smash-hit musical, Universal has released a special live recording of the show featuring the stellar cast that included the winner of ITV’s search for a Jesus, Ben Forster, alongside Spice Girl Melanie C as Mary Magdalene, comedian and writer Tim Minchin as Judas and Radio One star Chris Moyles as Herod.

The show was filmed live as part of the 2012 arena tour, allowing fans around the world to enjoy the production.

To celebrate the launch of the DVD and Blu-Ray, we have a special interview with Alex Hanson, who played Pilate in the production (see below).

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AMAZON UK: Jesus Christ Superstar – Live Arena Tour 2012 [DVD]

VIDEOS

An interview with Alex Hanson, who played Pilate in the UK arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar

The trailer for Jesus Christ Superstar

LINKS

Jesus Christ Superstar – tags and news

New Tim Rice musical From Here To Eternity to open at the Shaftesbury Theatre

Sir Tim Rice, the lyricist behind musicals including Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Chess and The Lion King, will bring his new musical From Here To Eternity to London next year.

The world premiere of the show will be at the Shaftesbury Theatre from 30 September 2013, with an opening night on 23 October.

From Here To Eternity is based on the 1951 novel by James Jones which was turned into a blockbuster Hollywood movie starring Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr.

Set against the backdrop of America entering World War II, including the bombing of Pearl Harbour, the action involves two love stories. The musical will not shy away from some of the controversial subjects tackled in the novel  but that were cut from the movie, including a military investigation into homosexuality.

Tim Rice has written the musical with co-lyricist and composer Stuart Brayson and writer Bill Oakes. Tamara Harvey will direct the show at the Shaftesbury and has been heavily involved in developing the musical. She said recently that the show has “a really funny, moving and dramatic book” and that the daughter of writer James Jones had come over from New York to attend a workshop of the show and was “incredibly supportive.”

Earlier this year Rice told the New York Post that he was driven to the project by Stuart Brayson’s compositions for the show: “I liked his music very much, but when I asked him if he had the rights, he said, ‘Rights?’ I made a few phone calls, and it took some doing, but we finally got them.”

Casting is yet to be announced.

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More news on From Here To Eternity

Jesus Christ Superstar – Round-up of reviews

A round-up of reviews of Jesus Christ Superstar – UK Arena Tour.

A major new arena production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar has hit the UK, and reviews are now in.

The show divides critical opinion quite starkly, with a number of critics loving the spectacle and show’s modern-day setting against the backdrop of the Occupy London protesters, but others finding the volume and the scale of the show working against the material. Most critics praise the performances.

Celebrating 40 years since the show first opened in London’s West End, the show’s lead role of Jesus has been cast from recent ITV talent show Superstar – with Ben Forster crowned the winner. He is joined by comedian and writer Tim Minchin as Judas, former Spice Girl Melanie C as Mary Magdalene and former Radio 1 Breakfast Show host Chris Moyles as King Herod.

The show is touring the UK including the O2 Arena in London, Glasgow SECC, Newcastle Metro Radio Arena, Manchester Arena, Cardiff Motorpoint Arena, Birmingham National Indoor Arena, Liverpool Echo Arena, Nottingham Capital FM Arena and the Sheffield Motorpoint Arena.

See reviews below including from The Guardian, Telegraph and Independent. Viewing this on a tablet or phone? Click here.

LINKS

Book tickets to Jesus Christ Superstar UK Arena Tour

ITV Superstar microsite

Photos: Jesus Christ Superstar – first-look of Melanie C and rehearsal photos

• Rehearsal photos of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new UK arena production of Jesus Christ Superstar
• First Look! Melanie C as Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar

This month sees the start of a major UK tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar.

Kicking off on 21 September 2012 at The O2 in London, the show will then tour the UK including Glasgow, Newcastle, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, Belfast, Dublin, Liverpool, Wembley Arena, Nottingham and Sheffield.

The show stars the winner of ITV’s search for a Jesus, Ben Forster, alongside Spice Girl Melanie C as Mary Magdalene, comedian and writer Tim Minchin as Judas and Radio One star Chris Moyles as Herod.

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From Here to Eternity The Musical by Tim Rice and Stuart Brayson

THIS SHOW IS NOW BOOKING – CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar lyricist Tim Rice has written a new musical version of From Here To Eternity.

Based on James Jones’ original 1951 novel rather than the classic movie version starring Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr, Rice has written the lyrics for the show alongside young composer Stuart Brayson, who brought the idea to him.

The show will deal with some of the gay themes that are tackled in the book but were cut from the movie including a military investigation into homosexuality.

Rice hopes to bring it into the West End towards the end of this year or early 2013.

He has been working with director Tamara Harvey on the show. Harvey has just completed a Brighton run of her new staging of Willy Russell’s Educating Rita. She told the Brighton Argus that the show has  ”a really funny, moving and dramatic book… we had the daughter of writer James Jones come over from New York for this development who was incredibly supportive.”

Earlier this year Rice told the New York Post that he was driven to the project by Stuart Brayson’s compositions for the show: “I liked his music very much, but when I asked him if he had the rights, he said, ‘Rights?’ I made a few phone calls, and it took some doing, but we finally got them.”

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Book tickets to From Here To Eternity at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London

 

 

ITV’s Superstar | Ben Forster wins role of a lifetime as Jesus in Andrew Lloyd Webber TV search to cast Jesus Christ Superstar

It’s finally over! The search to find a Jesus to star in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar has concluded. In a tense final on Wednesday 25 June 2012, the three finalists – Rory Taylor, Roger Wright and Ben Forster – battled it out to win a public vote to secure their dream role.

And Ben Forster, 31, was crowned the winner, securing the major role of Jesus in the new production.

On winning the role Ben said: “I can not believe it – I did not expect this to happen, If you come and see us I will do you so proud. I can’t wait to start working with Mel and Andrew.”

National Youth Theatre and Italia Conti stage school alumni, Ben has played Doody in Grease and appeared on The X Factor in 2009. But winning TV talent show Superstar will project his career into the league of international performers.

Andrew Lloyd Webber has followed his BBC searches to cast the stars of Joseph, The Sound of Music, Oliver! and The Wizard of Oz with his most ambitious TV talent search yet.

In Superstar, the Lord moved over to ITV1 in his new search to find a Jesus to star in a major new Arena tour production of his and Tim Rice’s classic musical Jesus Christ Superstar - finally crowning Ben Forster in the role.

The nationwide search for a rock arena superstar will now see Ben Forster star alongside comedian and Matilda co-writer Tim Minchin as Judas, Spice Girl Melanie C as Mary Magdalene and Radio 1 Breakfast Show host Chris Moyles as Herod.

“Presenting a new, 2012 version of Jesus Christ Superstar for arenas is truly exciting,” said Lord Lloyd Webber when launching the search. “Some of the best performances of this show have been in rock venues and I’m thrilled to see the show return to its roots. ITV is providing the perfect platform for us to find a new, British Superstar.”

Auditions took place in early 2012 in London, Dublin, Belfast, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff, with casting judges Melanie C, Jason Donovan and David Grindrod helping Andrew audition thousands of hopefuls to get down to a selection of Finalists.

Eleven finalists made it through to the live studio shows hosted by Amanda Holden, and judged by a panel of Lloyd Webber, Dawn French, Melanie C and Jason Donovan.

LINKS

Book tickets to the Jesus Christ Superstar Arena tour

BEN FORSTER as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar

Ben Forster wins the role of Jesus in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s major new arena tour production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Unknown performer Ben Forster has won the role of a lifetime by beating thousands of hopefuls to be cast as Jesus in a new production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Winner of TV talent show show Superstar, Ben will star in the major new arena tour production of Jesus Christ Superstar this autumn at venues across the UK.

National Youth Theatre and Italia Conti stage school alumni, Ben has played Doody in Grease and appeared on The X Factor in 2009. But winning TV talent show Superstar on ITV on 25 July 2012 has projected the young performer into the big league.

Ben Forster will be joined in Jesus Christ Superstar by Melanie C as Mary Magdalene, Tim Minchin as Judas and Chris Moyles as Herod.

LINKS

Book tickets to the UK arena tour of Jesus Chris Superstar

 

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