Andrew Lloyd Webber Archives - North West End UK

School of Rock – Northwich Memorial Court

14Aug

By Dan GrimesNo Comments

North West

School of Rock – Northwich Memorial Court

It was a pleasure to be invited, along with my 13-year-old son, Sam, to Northwich on this warm August evening to see Together For Theatre's School of Rock. This was my first time watching this Andrew Lloyd Webber adaptation although, like many people, I'm a big fan of the original 2003 film that inspired it. For those not familiar, the musical tells the story of Dewey Finn, a down-on-his-luck rock musician who has been thrown out of his band and is overdue on his rent. An intercepted call meant for his flatmate, Ned Schneebly, gives him the opportunity to earn a quick buck by posing as a substitute teacher at the prestigious Horace Green School. High expectations set by Principal Rosalie Mullins fall on deaf ears and "Mr Schneebly" has every intention of putting the privileged kid...

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Sheffield Lyceum

11Jul

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Sheffield Lyceum

When ‘Joseph graced the scene’ in a town, the whole crowd bow down like stars and ears of corn and Sheffield is no exception. A packed audience of all age ranges filled the Lyceum to witness the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s lyrics in their first successful collaboration (1968) - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Originally written 50 years ago as an Easter school concert for London’s Colet Court School by request of the music teacher; this phenomenon known as ‘Joseph’ shows no signs of abating! This is important to understanding the origins of this show as the latest touring production does not lose sight of its original intended audience. Definitely, one that children can easily comprehend and necessarily a little twee in places. This current touring version ...

Jesus Christ Superstar – Hull Musical Theatre Company

10Jul

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Jesus Christ Superstar – Hull Musical Theatre Company

Nobody likes a snitch. And the most famous snitch of all was sensationally brought to life by the talented members of Hull Musical Theatre Company in their production of Jesus Christ Superstar, on the stage of Middleton Hall, Hull University. The snitch in question, of course, is Judas Iscariot, who famously betrayed Jesus Christ for the princely sum of 30 pieces of silver. As we in the audience settled into our very comfortable seats on Wednesday night, our chatter died as the lights dimmed and an amazing guitarist, on a walkway high up at the back of the stage, began to play rock, leading to the other musicians joining in, under the guidance of musical director Rebecca Barques. As the strains of rock died away, woodwind, horn, trumpet, keyboards, percussion, guitars, bass and dr...

26Jun

By Kevin EcclestonNo Comments

North West

Evita – Capstone Theatre

One of the country’s oldest musical theatre society the Bentley Operatic Society once again proves its enduring legacy with a stirring production of Evita at the Capstone Theatre. The iconic musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber follows the meteoric rise and tragic demise of Eva Perón. Under the direction of Alice McCormack this staging breathes fresh energy into the decades-old classic by adopting a minimalist modern era approach. This production also introduces Rosa Harrison as a new concept of ‘Young Eva’ From the outset, the production captivates. The dimly lit opening sequence, announcing Eva Perón’s death, sets an immediate tone of reverence before seamlessly transitioning into the vibrant narrative of her early ambitions. In spite of some early technical issues narrator ...

Jesus Christ Superstar – Festival Theatre

8May

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

Jesus Christ Superstar – Festival Theatre

Edinburgh’s oldest amateur theatre company, Southern Lights brings us their original take on the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Jesus Christ Superstar. Featuring a huge ensemble, powerhouse vocals, and mixed media, this certainly went above and beyond my expectations of what amateur theatre is capable of. It is noted in Southern Light’s programme that each new production must not replicate any previous production by order of the show’s licensing. And what with Jesus Christ Superstar having first performed on Broadway in 1971, conjuring an original take on the show is no simple feat, with decades worth of adaptations having already been staged in every way imaginable. For me, the most interesting new directional concept, director Fraser Grant brought to t...

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Leeds Grand

28Mar

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Leeds Grand

As a critic if you keep going long enough then yet another touring production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will come along. It would be easy to be snooty about Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s debut collaboration, but this family friendly musical is still a lot of fun - if a little dated - and critically has some great tunes. Unlike some of Lloyd Webber’s later bombastic scores this is more pop rock, that was of its time like other seventies hits Godspell or Hair, with the added spice of Rice’s always witty words. It's a short for a musical reworking of Joseph’s story in the Bible where he is sold into slavery by his 11 jealous brothers, before hooking up with the Egyptian Pharaoh to work out what the ruler's dreams meant thus saving his nation from disaster. ...

X Factor winner Joe McElderry stars in new version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Leeds Grand

19Mar

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

X Factor winner Joe McElderry stars in new version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Leeds Grand

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat returns to Leeds Grand Theatre after a sell-out run in 2023 and X Factor winner Joe McElderry will be playing Pharaoh. McElderry played the title role from 2017-18 in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s first major collaboration, and since then has been a regular on the stage as the lead in The Who’s rock opera Tommy and Club Tropicana: The Musical. “I have such a long history with the show and to re-join in a different role, this time playing Pharaoh, will be so exciting," says Joe McElderry. “I can’t wait to perform to amazing audiences in Leeds in a show so close to my heart.” Joe McElderry (Pharaoh) and Adam Filipe (Joseph) in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat @ Sunderland Empire. (Opening 14-01-25) ©Tristram Kenton ...

1Aug

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

The Wizard of Oz – Wolverhampton Grand

“There’s no place like Wolves!” Well, there certainly isn’t as Dorothy Gale and her little dog, too, land their wooden house on the stage of the Grand Theatre which they’re calling no place like home for the next few days. “The Wizard of Oz” is, undoubtedly, an iconic, kaleidoscopic, psychedelic trip into the mad and inventive mind of L. Frank Baum who, eager to create a new style fairy tale for a new, burgeoning nation, let his eyes drift to his library index cards one day where the letters O-Z jumped out and he was off down his yellow brick road to literary success. His unstoppable quill knocked out a dozen or so Oz titles within a few years with further volumes being penned by other authors. Baum, being no slack capitalist, exploited his work in all media - books, stage and film. Way...

Cats: The Beyond Broadway Experience – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

29Jul

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

Scotland

Cats: The Beyond Broadway Experience – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

This production of the iconic stage musical, Cats, is brought to us by a huge cast of accomplished young performers The programme lists 31 principals and 161 ensemble members. This is a truly ambitious production, with challenging songs and movement, and the cast rise to the occasion, showcasing their impressive dance, vocal and acting skills. The show is comprised of a series of “chapters”, each introducing us to either a character, or an aspect of the community of Jellicle Cats. At the interval, some audience members told me that they were struggling to follow the story, but perhaps it is better to think of the piece as a collection of interconnected stories. As Grizelda, Kirsty Montgomery has the challenge of singing the haunting song, Memory. As well as being vocally demanding, t...

22May

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Jesus Christ Superstar – The Lowry

The musical phenomenon that is 'Jesus Christ Superstar' graces the stage at The Lowry this week. With well-known lyrics by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber this version was initially performed at London's Regent's Park open air theatre and received an Olivier for best reimagined production in 2017. Directed by Alli Coyne, the story retells the final days of the life of Jesus up to his crucifixion. It is a revamped modern version and, in many ways, feels darker and ‘edgier’ than previous productions. It is perhaps the version that feels more ‘rock opera’ when compared to other productions and this adds to its success. From the opening scene of a guitar solo- there is a an intention that the audience are watching a rock concert depicting the final days of Jesus Christ to his crucifi...