The Stage

Lloyd Webber and Ian go head to head with reality TV shows

Published Wednesday 20 December 2006 at 13:35 by Alistair Smith

West End supremos Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Ian have launched rival reality TV shows to find stars for their West End productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Grease, respectively.

The pair, who worked together on the BBC show How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? have gone their separate ways for the new series, which have been announced within a day of each other this week.

Lloyd Webber’s show, entitled Any Dream Will Do, will be screened on BBC1, while David Ian is set to work with Simon Cowell’s production company Syco and Talkback Thames for a series to be shown on ITV.

Ian will serve as a judge on the series and will also be producing the West End version of the stage show, together with producing partner Paul Nicholas.

Cowell commented: “We’ve been thinking about making this programme for years. Grease in my opinion is the best musical of all time and I am incredibly excited to be given this opportunity.”

The move will be regarded as a major blow to the BBC, which is currently working with Ian on the US version of the Grease show - entitled You’re the One that I Want - in the US with NBC.

Lloyd Webber commented: “The success of How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? this summer was a real boost for musical theatre in Britain and I was particularly thrilled with the reaction from school children up and down the country.

“I cannot wait to get them involved in Any Dream Will Do and to get back into the studio with Graham [Norton]. Joseph started in schools and I am looking for a great school choir - to play in the West End, we need a smashing girl, a great boy and of course a Pharoah/Elvis!”