Tim Rice attacks 'ghastly' new breed of West End musicals

Sir Tim with Sir Andrew: Tim Rice says new West End musicals are a cynical attempt to make money

11 April 2012

Award-winning lyricist Sir Tim Rice has criticised "ghastly" musicals dominating the West End.

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The one-time collaborator of Andrew Lloyd Webber called recent stage versions of Eighties' film Dirty Dancing and The Lord Of The Rings cynical, financially driven productions robbing young writers of opportunities.

Sir Tim, 61, who is planning a resurrection of his Blondel, which bombed on its original outing, said: "A lot of musicals are pretty awful... most of them are pretty ghastly.

"You think 'why bother, other than to make money?'" The writer of Evita enjoyed success with Elton John on The Lion King and also wrote the lyrics to Beauty And The Beast.

However, in The Times he praised shows such as Billy Elliot, Spamalot and The Producers.

Sir Tim began working with Lord Lloyd- Webber in 1965. They fell out after Evita in 1978 but he raised the prospect of a professional reunion.