Tim Rice Archives - North West End UK

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 ...

Tim Rice – My Life in Musicals: I Know Him So Well – Festival Theatre

23Apr

By Wendy McEwanNo Comments

Scotland

Tim Rice – My Life in Musicals: I Know Him So Well – Festival Theatre

Tim Rice is a man of many words. He’s been writing lyrics for 60 years, collaborating with some of our most celebrated composers - Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Elton John, of course, and more recently, Gary Barlow. He even wrote some lyrics for Elvis. Rice wanted to be a rock star, so he sent demo tapes to all the leading record labels. Impressed by his lyrics, a musical publisher introduced him to Lloyd-Webber, and a great songwriting partnership was born. A teacher friend invited the pair to write a song for a school concert. The result was an early iteration of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The concert was a great success – “This is the first time the parents have enjoyed a school concert”, said the teacher. One of those parents was a leading theatre critic, and a coupl...

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 ...

19Feb

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

Beauty and the Beast – Grange Theatre

Mid Cheshire Musical Theatre Company (MCMTC) are back with their annual musical offering bringing Disney’s Beaty and the Beast to the wonderful Grange Theatre. Beauty and the Beast is a stage adaptation of Disney's beloved animated film. The musical, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and a book by Linda Woolverton, first premiered in 1994. It tells the timeless story of Belle (Gemma Chapman), a bright, independent young woman who is dissatisfied with her small village life and yearns for adventure. The story unfolds when Belle's father, Maurice (Bill Shardlow), gets lost in the woods and stumbles upon the Beast's enchanted castle. The Beast (Ben Vaughan), a prince cursed by an enchantress, imprisons Maurice. Belle offers to take her father's place and b...

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...

25May

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

Disney’s Aladdin – Palace Theatre

Released at the peak of the Disney renaissance, Aladdin stormed the box office in 1992 and has remained one of the most well-loved animated movies of all time. Its success and enduring appeal is due in no small part to its award-winning music. The late, very great lyricist Howard Ashman was the man behind the original pitch. He worked with composer Alan Menken on the project until Ashman’s untimely death with AIDS. Tim Rice then picked up the lyrical baton and the final soundtrack is a work of genius. Given that, it was perhaps a surprise it took so long for the film to transfer to the stage. The Broadway production has now been running for a decade. This, though, is the first time the show has played in the North West. It is well worth the wait. This is a riot of joyous sound and...

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...