Tag: Tim Rice

Sir Tim Rice… No More?

Tim RiceIt has been rumoured within Theatreland that acclaimed lyricist, Sir Tim Rice, is set to retire from the musical theatre industry. This has come after claims that the public seem to prefer shows featuring well-known pop songs to original material in stage musicals.

Rice grew to international fame following his longtime collaborative working with Andrew Lloyd Webber on hugely successful musicals such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Evita, as well as more recent works including From Here to Eternity. Following the news that From Here to Eternity is set to close in March after just 22 weeks in London’s West End, Rice now fears theatre-goers are more interested in seeing shows such as Mamma Mia!, which features the music of ABBA, and Queen musical We Will Rock You.

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was the first work of Rice and Lloyd-Webber, quickly taking on a life of its own leading to stagings, additions of new material, and even a record deal with Decca. Success with Joseph was followed by Jesus Christ Superstar, the show that brought the pair international fame and a place in musical theatre history. Next came Evita: as with Jesus Christ Superstar, a concept album was released and the show’s ironic piece “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” became a number one hit in the UK. As with Rice’s previous shows, Evita went on to play in countries around the world. Rice then met with Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus from ABBA to discuss ideas for a musical, and the trio collaborated on what would become Chess.

Rice’s work has won him numerous awards including 12 Ivor Novello awards, 3 Tonys, and 3 Oscars. He was knighted by HRH Queen Elizabeth II in 1994.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Cats The Musical

Cats The MusicalSince Cats the musical opened on the West End stage in 1981 it has become one of the world’s best known and best loved musicals. Originally directed by Trevor Nunn, the show has since been presented in over 20 countries and in around 250 cities, including diverse destinations such as Buenos Aires, Seoul, Helsinki and Singapore, and has been translated into 10 languages for audiences all over the world. The show has translated into Japanese, German, (three versions for Germany, Austria and Switzerland), Hungarian, Norwegian, Finnish, Dutch, Swedish, French, Spanish (two versions for Mexico and Argentina) and Italian, with the Swiss production requiring a bilingual cast who performed in German and English on alternate nights

The original production opened at the New London Theatre in the West End on 11 May 1981: eight years later it celebrated its first important milestone and became the longest running musical in the history of the British theatre after 3,358 performances. Within two and half years of the London opening there were productions in New York, Tokyo, Budapest and Vienna, and the first of tour US touring productions had begun. Cats opened on Broadway in 1982 and ran until 2000, with 1997 seeing the show become the longest running musical on Broadway and 1991 marking Cats as the longest, continuously touring show in American theatre history.

In addition to the incredible dance and staging of the iconic production, the musical numbers of the show have also been hugely popular. “Memory” has been recorded by over 150 artists ranging from Barbra Streisand to Johnny Mathis, with Barry Manilow’s rendition was a top-40 hit in the U.S. The Original London Cast Recording of Cats also won the 1982 Grammy Award for Best Cast Album, in addition to a number of other awards over the years, and the following year the Original Broadway Cast Recording won the same award.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.