Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd-Webber Reunite for New Musical Comedy Songs
Oscar-winning lyricist Sir Tim Rice has hinted at the possibility of reuniting with his former musical partner, Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber, for a brand new musical venture. The legendary duo, known for hits like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Evita, have recently penned songs for a fresh comedy titled Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas.
The new project, which promises to deliver a “laugh a minute,” is set to premiere at The Birmingham Rep Theatre this November. In a recent interview with BBC South East, Sir Tim Rice shared his enthusiasm for the project: “He and I have written a few songs and it has been great fun. It’s a comedy all about a serial killer who is murdering people linked to the song The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
Reflecting on his creative partnership with Lloyd-Webber, Rice noted that although the pair had occasionally collaborated over the years—such as the extra song for Madonna in Evita—a full-scale reunion would require a musical idea that truly excites them both. “We have always done the odd thing here and there… but there was no great musical idea that appealed to the both of us,” he explained. “I think it [the chemistry] is always there.”
The creative split between the two occurred in the 1980s as each pursued their own projects. Since then, Lloyd-Webber has gone on to create iconic musicals like Cats, Starlight Express, and The Phantom of the Opera, while Rice collaborated with Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus on Chess and later with Disney on blockbusters such as Aladdin and The Lion King. Over his storied career, Rice has garnered multiple Oscars for Best Original Song, including wins for A Whole New World, Can You Feel The Love Tonight, and You Must Love Me.
Despite his many collaborations over the years with artists like Elton John, Rick Wakeman, and Burt Bacharach, Rice expressed a lingering regret over not working more extensively with the late Freddie Mercury—a sentiment he shared candidly. “I did a couple of songs with Freddie. It’s a tragedy he died. I feel we could have written something really great,” he lamented.
In addition to his new collaborative venture, Sir Tim Rice is set to tour the UK starting in April with his show My Life In Musicals – I Know Him So Well, with performances scheduled in cities including Guildford, Worthing, and Eastbourne.
As the musical world eagerly awaits the premiere of Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas, fans of both Rice and Lloyd-Webber remain hopeful that this creative spark might reignite one of theatre’s most successful partnerships for a full-scale new musical in the future.
Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com
