The Stage

Chit chat - Toe the party line

Published Tuesday 18 March 2008 at 10:50 by Tabard

It’s not often that someone has to send out a rebuttal about how extravagant their birthday celebrations might (or might not) be, but that is exactly the situation that Andrew Lloyd Webber found himself in this week.

This weekend, the Lord is off to Majorca to have a knees-up with some friends as he celebrates his 60th. During the week there had been some (apparently fanciful) descriptions of the party doing the rounds, with one national paper claiming it was going to cost in the region of £5 million.

Following the coverage, a missive was sent out by ALW’s people.

“Andrew and Madeleine Lloyd Webber would like to set the record straight regarding Andrew’s 60th birthday celebrations,” it explained. “The couple are hosting a low-key event in Majorca this weekend. Around 35 to 40 close friends and colleagues have been invited to attend a dinner at a restaurant in Deia, near to the Lloyd Webber’s home on the island. A local rock band has been hired to entertain the guests and not the star-studded, musical-themed entertainment some reports have suggested.

“The weekend will cost the couple a tiny fraction of the figure which has been suggested. It has been organised by Madeleine Lloyd Webber as a thank you to colleagues who have worked with Andrew for many decades. Andrew was offered the chance to host a big celebration in the heart of London’s West End, but he specifically chose not to hold a lavish party.”

And, unsurprisingly, said national newspaper doesn’t appear to be top of the composer’s guest list.

“If I was spending £5 million on the party as reported I hope that the Daily Mail will be able to negotiate ownership of the jet and the hotel in the price,” quipped Lloyd Webber.

Tabard’s invitation seems to have got lost in the post.