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Rice and Lloyd Webber launch first musical

1st July 2008

The West End is meeting amateur theatre as Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber launch their first musical to the amateur stage at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

Noda The Likes of Us Cast and Tim Rice

Rice and Lloyd Webber are teaming up with the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) and Lloyd Webber’s The Really Useful Group to offer ordinary actors across the country the chance to star in the musical, a lost gem written over 40 years ago by the award-winning composers.

Although written in 1965, The Likes of Us has only been performed only twice as Rice and Lloyd Webber moved on to 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 is being released to amateur theatres 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.”

Tony Gibbs and Tim Rice Speaking at the launch, Tony Gibbs, chief executive of NODA, said: “The Likes of Us is truly unique. For The 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.

The Likes of Us will be available to theatre groups from September with performances commencing in early Spring 2009.

For further information visit www.noda.org.uk

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