Radio 2 to broadcast Lloyd Webber gala concert

Published Tuesday 12 June 2007 at 16:00 by Matthew Hemley

BBC Radio 2 is to celebrate the work of Andrew Lloyd Webber with a special 90-minute gala concert featuring performances from an array of musical theatre stars.

The event, which will be recorded and broadcast in August, will feature music from a variety of shows that Lloyd Webber has both written and produced in recent years.

It is understood that Argentinian actress Elena Roger will reprise her role as Eva Peron from Evita, recently staged at the Adelphi Theatre, and is expected to perform the songs Don’t Cry for Me Argentina and Buenos Aires.

Connie Fisher, who won the role of Maria in The Sound of Music, following her appearance on BBC1’s How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, is also likely to make an appearance, performing numbers from the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic.

However, a BBC spokeswoman said no names had been confirmed and that a full line-up will be announced shortly.

The concert will be recorded at the Mermaid Theatre on August 19 and will go out on BBC Radio 2 on August 31.

BBC Radio 2 head of live music, events and talent Lewis Carnie said: “We are delighted to feature a show that looks at the work of Andrew Lloyd Webber as a producer. He is renowned, of course, as a composer, but if you look at his influence on musical theatre, it extends far beyond that.

“We’re happy to highlight that area and bring the very best of new and exciting talent to our audience to perform that work. It will be a sensational show.”