TALKING WITH DAVID FROST {...TALKING WITH DAVID FROST}: ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER (TV)
Summary
One in this series of interview programs hosted by David Frost. This edition features a discussion with composer Andrew Lloyd Webber filmed at his country house in Hampshire, England. The program opens with a filmed presentation of his most widely recorded song, "Memory" from "Cats," as sung by Elaine Paige accompanied by Marvin Hamlisch, after which Lloyd Webber recalls his collaboration on the show with producer Cameron Mackintosh and the early financial problems they encountered. He then explains how he met lyricist Tim Rice, followed by a clip of their "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from "Jesus Christ Superstar" as sung by Marti Webb. Lloyd Webber comments on the "blasphemous" nature of the tune and the fact that the song originally had lyrics pertaining to Kansas. He then discusses the failure of his 1975 musical, "By Jeeves"; how he knows which of his songs will be big hits; and why he enjoys writing musicals in an operatic form with little speech involved. Lloyd Webber reveals the inspiration behind and development of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" from "Evita," after which a clip is shown of the number as performed by Elaine Paige. After Lloyd Webber plays brief segments on the piano from "Sunset Boulevard," the show on which he's currently working, Frost interviews Lloyd Webber's fiancee, horsewoman Madeleine Guerdon, about their meeting and the difference between the public and private Lloyd Webber. Lloyd Webber explains that "Music of the Night" originally was written with other lyrics for Sarah Brightman, a clip of which is seen when she sings its previous version, "Married Man," followed by Brightman and Michael Crawford in a duet of the tune's final form. Lloyd Webber muses on the influence of theater critics and responds to the criticism that his work is all shallow spectacle lacking depth, and credits other composers with influencing him. Next, he mentions that actresses Meryl Streep and Madonna are being considered for the title role in the film version of "Evita," reveals his choice for the part, and theorizes about the future of musical theater and Broadway in particular. The program ends with Brightman and Steve Barton singing "All I Ask of You" from "Phantom of the Opera," a song specifically written with Brightman in mind.
Cataloging of this program has been made possible by the Bell Atlantic Foundation,1999.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS WETA Washington, D.C.
- DATE: February 6, 1991 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:57:46
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:56615
- GENRE: Talk/Interviews
- SUBJECT HEADING: Biography; Composers; Interviews; Music - Analysis, appreciation; Music, popular (songs, etc.); Musical revues, comedies, etc. - Excerpt; Theater
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV Series, 1991-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- John Florescu … Executive Producer
- David Frost … Executive Producer
- Robert Muller … Coordinating Producer
- Wallace Westfeldt … Producer
- Tricia Pombo … Associate Producer
- Robert Abeshouse … Researcher
- Ben Ramos … Researcher
- David Wilson … Researcher
- David Frost … Host, Interviewer
- Lloyd Webber, Andrew … Guest
- Michael Ball
- Steve Barton
- Sarah Brightman
- Michael Crawford
- Madeleine Guerdon
- Cameron Mackintosh
- Madonna
- Elaine Paige
- Tim Rice
- Meryl Streep
- Marti Webb