posted 01/06/08
The West End met amateur theatre today as Tim
Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber launched their debut musical from 1965 to
the amateur stage at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
Rice and Lloyd Webber are teaming up with the
National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) to offer amateur
actors across the country the chance to star in their musical, a lost
gem written over 40 years ago by the award-winning composers. Although
written in 1965, The Likes of Us has been performed only twice as Rice and Lloyd Webber
moved onto global hits such as Joseph, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar. However, it was never forgotten and now, with the
support of NODA and the Really Useful Group, performing Rights are
being released to NODA’s members prior to its professional
release.
Speaking ahead of the launch Lloyd Webber said:
“I am absolutely thrilled that NODA is working with the Really
Useful Group on The Likes of Us. It’s the first show that Tim Rice and I wrote
together over 40 years ago. It never made the West End stage and
received its world premiere just three years ago at the Sydmonton
Festival where Tim himself played the Auctioneer.” The musical
contains melodies written by Lloyd Webber aged 12. He said: “A
couple of those tunes were recycled later, in equally commercially
disastrous shows.”
Speaking at the launch, Tony Gibbs, chief
executive of NODA, said: “The Likes
of Us is truly unique. For Really
Useful Group to take this bold step reinforces the importance of
amateur theatre. This is a case of professional and amateur theatre
coming together and it is my sincere hope that this will establish a
new way of working in the theatre for years to come. ”Gibbs added:
“The Likes of Us is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The
content means that there are roles for adults as well as young people.
I would encourage anyone interested in theatre, from acting to stage
design, to contact their local amateur theatre group and get
involved.”
The musical, which chronicles the life of Dr.
Thomas Barnardo, was created when a 17-year-old Lloyd Webber received a
letter from then 21-year-old Rice offering himself as a ‘with-it
writer’, and there their winning partnership was born. The
musical also contains the first couplet Rice ever wrote to Lloyd
Webber’s music: “Here I have a
lovely parrot sound in wind and limb, I can guarantee that there is
nothing wrong with him.”
Societies should contact NODA for further
information and to discuss performing Rights.
T: 0845 770 2480
