The Stage

Lloyd Webber tops theatre rich list

Published Monday 30 April 2007 at 17:00 by Emma Barnett

Andrew Lloyd Webber is the highest placed theatre industry figure in this year’s The Sunday Times Rich List.

Coming in 95th, his £750 million fortune has increased by £50 million since last year’s list was published.

The rise has been largely attributed to the success of his BBC talent show, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? and the subsequent box office success of The Sound of Music. He has also replaced Paul McCartney in the number two slot in the separate music millionaires list, beaten only by Clive Calder. The owner of Zomba records, who was the highest placed entertainment industry figure overall, in 46th place with £1,300 million.

Theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh, responsible for such hits as Mary Poppins and Les Miserables, also enjoyed a £50 million increase in his wealth, coming in at 177th. Fellow producer Robert Stigwood, the man behind Grease and Saturday Night Fever, remained on £212 million and was placed 335th.

After performing 47 sell-out shows in Las Vegas and undertaking two tours last year, Elton John found himself in the 319th spot with his £225 million fortune, just ahead of his former song-writing partner, Tim Rice occupying the 452nd position with £155 million.

Abba musical Mamma Mia! has proved to be lucrative for Judy Craymer with her £60 million stake in Littlestar services, the company behind it, coming 873rd with £78 million. Both Brian May and Roger Taylor, two former band members of Queen, have continued to reap the royalty benefits of We Will Rock You, on top of their other song royalties, amassing £70 million and £75 million respectively.

Robert Bourne and Sally Greene’s £70 million, mainly derived from property ownership, was given a boost by Greene’s theatre portfolio which includes the Old Vic and came in 949th.

The recently released list also collated the 100 richest young people in Britain.

Equus and Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe came 33rd with £17 million and Will Young, having just made his theatre debut in Noel Coward’s The Vortex at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre, was in 57th place with £9 million.

Ireland’s richest 250 included Riverdance star Michael Flatley at 89th with £377 million and Denis and Caroline Desmond, who have stakes in theatres across the UK and Ireland, at 134th with £68 million.

Pop music figures Simon Fuller and Simon Cowell also featured. Fuller, who has just had another TV hit with So You Think You Can Dance came in high at 177th with £450 million. Cowell’s fortunes rose by £40 million taking him to the £100 million mark. Both his transatlantic appeal and new TV talent search Grease is the Word have helped him to secure the 700th position.

Industry Top Ten

• 46th - Clive Calder - owner of Zomba records - £1,300m
• 95th - Andrew Lloyd Webber - producer/theatre owner - £750m
• 177th - Cameron Mackintosh - producer/theatre owner - £450m
• 319th - Elton John - musician/composer - £225m
• 335th - Robert Stigwood - producer - £212m
• 452nd - Tim Rice - composer - £155m
• 873rd - Judy Craymer - producer - £78m
• 896th - Brian May - Queen musician/We Will Rock You producer - £75m
• 949th - Robert Bourne and Sally Greene - producer/theatre owner - £70m
• 949th - Roger Taylor - Queen musician/We Will Rock You producer - £70m