1. 2010
    1. September
      1. Andrew to appear on Michael Ball Show this Friday
    2. August
      1. Hello! magazine photoshoot with Andrew
    3. July
      1. Lord Rowe-Beddoe presents Andrew with key to the Wales Millennium Centre
      2. Andrew visits Cardiff for a special announcement about Sophie Evans
      3. Preserving Our Heritage
      4. Andrew calls for increased prostate cancer screening
      5. Love Never Dies album number one across key retailers in China
    4. June
      1. Sale of Pablo Picasso's Angel de Fernandez de Soto
      2. Tell Me on a Sunday national tour, starring Claire Sweeney
    5. May
      1. A statement from Andrew
      2. Oz Blog: The winner is revealed...
      3. The last Dorothy mission....
      4. Oz Blog: The Final Countdown
      5. Danielle you are Dorothy… and here comes Dangerous Dave as Toto!
      6. Danielle is your Dorothy!
      7. Danielle, Lauren and Sophie have a go at Polo!
      8. The winning Dorothy to release charity single
      9. Sierra meets the Dorothys!
      10. Oz: Blog: Andrew makes his final choice and the final three are revealed
      11. Oz Blog: The Fantastic Four
      12. Bombay Dreams Movie Announcement
      13. Andrew to appear on The Graham Norton Show
      14. Andrew meets Bobby...
      15. Oz Blog: The second sing-off
      16. Oz Blog: A Dorothy Cull...
      17. We’re off to see The Wizard of Oz!
      18. From Nancy to Dorothy: A message from Sam and Niamh
      19. Oz Blog: An Emotional Goodbye
      20. Oz Blog: An audience with the Lord
      21. Andrew and the Dorothys get ready for their close up...
      22. An Over the Rainbow update from Andrew
    6. April
      1. Andrew gets ready for next week's Over The Rainbow
      2. It's Toto time for Andrew...
      3. Oz Blog: Standing ovations as we say another goodbye
      4. Oz Blog: A chorus of Angels...
      5. Oz Blog: Another sad goodbye...
      6. Behind the scenes at Over The Rainbow
      7. Oz Blog: Making a Song and Dance
      8. Oz Blog: It's goodbye to another of our Dorothies...
      9. Oz Blog: A Class Act
      10. Oz Blog: The first Dorothy flies over the rainbow
      11. Oz Blog: The first live show... and the public get to choose
      12. West End Story: What Nancy, Joseph and Maria Did Next
    7. March
      1. Oz Blog: 20 become 10...
      2. Oz Blog: Over The Rainbow kicks off with weekend special
      3. Behind the scenes on "Wetten, Das?"
      4. Filming the Over The Rainbow trailer
      5. Andrew’s off to see the Wizard… and revisiting the South Bank Show
      6. BBC ONE Follows the Yellow Brick Road, Over the Rainbow
      7. The South Bank Show Revisited
      8. Andrew and Katherine Jenkins on Dancing On Ice
    8. February
      1. Andrew’s TV appearances this weekend
      2. Lloyd Webber, Universal Music forge new partnership in recording, publishing
      3. Andrew Lloyd Webber to appear on Weekend Wogan this Sunday
      4. Andrew in Manchester...
      5. 'Love Never Dies' premieres at The South Bank Show Awards
    9. January
      1. Andrew Inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame
      2. Love Never Dies World Exclusive for The South Bank Show Awards
      3. Andrew begins his search for Dorothy
      4. My Health Diary
  2. 2009
    1. December
      1. Full Love Never Dies cast announced
    2. November
      1. A message from Andrew
      2. Could you be Dorothy?
      3. Update on Andrew's health
    3. October
      1. Thank you from Andrew
      2. A press statement from Andrew's office.
      3. Andrew Lloyd Webber on Stephen Gately
      4. Andrew honoured by Theater Hall of Fame
      5. Love Never Dies global launch
      6. Welcome to the Andrew Lloyd Webber site
    4. September
      1. Bono is one of “The Boys In The Photograph”
      2. Andrew and Ben Elton in Toronto
      3. 9,000 performances of Phantom on Broadway
      4. Andrew seeks Dorothy... and Toto!
      5. 'Love Changes Everything' performed at Kennedy memorial
    5. August
      1. Backstage with Connie Fisher
    6. July
      1. Andrew reveals that Michael Jackson wanted to play the Phantom
    7. May
      1. I'd Do Anything Finalists star in the West End
      2. Mark Cook on the Eurovision final
      3. Jade Ewen at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest
      4. Andrew in Moscow
    8. April
      1. The Boys in the Photograph opens in Canada
      2. Andrew questions budget Tax proposals
      3. Love Never Dies...
      4. Andrew Lloyd Webber Leads House of Lords Debate
    9. March
      1. A Beginner's Guide to Eurovision
      2. Mark's top Eurovision outfits
    10. February
      1. Mark's Eurovision Top 10
      2. Andrew congratulates AR Rahman on his double Oscar glory
      3. Joseph voted Best Musical Revival
      4. Mark's in Malta...
      5. So you want to be a real Eurovision fan?
      6. Moscow here we come...
    11. January
      1. Your Country Does Need You! Jade is the winner
      2. We meet Eurovision's Bucks Fizz
      3. And then there were three...
      4. Unbreak our Eurovision hearts
      5. The Eurovision zoo...
      6. Chris Moyles The Musical?
      7. Triumphant night for TV's Nancy
      8. A Lulu of a Eurovision
      9. Double whammy Grammy
      10. Grammy Award Winner joins Andrew in his quest for Eurovision glory
      11. Lee Mead's final performance as Joseph in the West End
      12. The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber sets new record
      13. Your Country Needs Them...
      14. The first instalment from our Eurovision blogger
  3. 2008
    1. December
      1. Meet our Eurovision blogger!
      2. Andrew meets Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin
      3. Andrew in conversation with Josh Groban
    2. November
      1. Theatregoers to benefit from Chancellor‘s VAT cut
      2. 25 years of Cats in Japan!
      3. BBC Radio 1s Dave and Dom big Eurovision break?
      4. Andrew to judge Eventing International
    3. October
      1. Andrew Lloyd Webber's Surprise for Simon Cowell
      2. Lloyd Webber recruited to pen UK's 2009 Eurovision entry
      3. UK premiere of Phantasia
      4. Special birthday album release today
    4. September
      1. Free tickets for redundant bankers
      2. More birthday celebrations for Andrew in Ireland
      3. Andrew's 60th birthday celebrated by BBC concert in Hyde Park
    5. July
      1. Problem Solved - Elicia Mackenzie is Canada's Maria
      2. Andrew makes surprise trip to see Canada Maria's
      3. The Likes of Us is released for amateur licence to NODA
    6. June
      1. Starlight Express celebrates 20 years of productions in Bochum, Germany
      2. Thank you from Jodie, Jessie and Samantha
      3. Andrew congratulates Jodie
    7. May
      1. Rachel leaves I'd Do Anything semi final
      2. Andrew to receive Woodrow Wilson Award
      3. It's goodbye Niamh!
      4. Andrew and the Nancy's meet Celine Dion
      5. I'd Do Anything Results: Sunday 11th May
      6. The Phantom of the Opera goes digital!
      7. Andrew's speech to the House of Lords
      8. I'd Do Anything Results: Sunday 4th May
      9. Could Jenna be Nancy?
    8. April
      1. Andrew bids farewell to Francesca
      2. Andrew appears on American Idol
      3. I‘d Do Anything: Blog 3
      4. Andrew's Other Passion
      5. I‘d Do Anything: Blog 2
      6. Andrew to receive Classical BRIT Award
    9. March
      1. A Tribute Concert for Steven Pimlott
      2. I‘d Do Anything: Blog 1
      3. Thank you to chinamusical.net
      4. Playbill Unmasks Phantom Lyricist
      5. Michael Ball Meets Andrew Lloyd Webber
      6. Andrew Lloyd Webber to be ‘American Idol‘ mentor
      7. I'd Do Anything begins on BBC1
      8. Andrew and Madeleine set the record straight
      9. Andrew's Special Award from SOLT
    10. February
      1. Joseph is still amazing audiences 40 years on
      2. Andrew and Julian join tribute to the late Ian Adam
      3. Andrew joins guest presenters at the Brits
      4. Andrew appears in Hollyoaks
  4. 2007
    1. December
      1. Andrew to help BBC find Oliver!
      2. TV to watch this Christmas
      3. Andrew and Ben visit Liverpool
    2. November
      1. Andrew Lloyd Webber welcomes the Government's announcement on Music in Schools
      2. How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? Scoops International Emmy
      3. Andrew on Amy Winehouse
      4. Joseph Raises £600k for Children in Need
      5. Supporting Children in Need
      6. Any Dream Will Do shortlisted for National Television Award
    3. October
      1. Andrew helps the Dutch find their Evita
      2. Lee Signs Polydor Record Deal
      3. Joseph Children in Need single
      4. How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? nominated for Emmy Award
      5. The Maria and Joseph Finalists Find Success
      6. Canada to be the next nation to Solve a Problem Like Maria...
    4. September
      1. Joseph on Children in Need:Tickets Available
      2. Andrew at ArtsEd
  5. 2006
    1. December
      1. Andrew is honoured at the Kennedy Center
    2. November
      1. The Sound of Music opens at the London Palladium
    3. June
      1. The 2006 revival of Evita
And then there were three...

26th January 2009

And then there were three...

More from our Eurovision blogger Mark Cook.

Theres an old song in the Stephen Sondheim/Jule Styne musical Gypsy called “You Gotta Get a Gimmick”. It could be the mantra or motto for Eurovision.

Over the years we have seen the weird and not so wonderful come to the stage in a bid to stand out among the musical crowd – and these days there are even more nations – 43 this year – slugging it out for attention. Last year saw Russian winner Dima Bilan perform as Olympic gold medallist skater Evgeny Plushenko twirled around him on a tiny patch of ice. I have already suggested that we might get cyclist Sir Chris Hoy to do a few laps around the UK entry this year.

But it was ever thus and even the UK has been responsible for a few memorable moments in the Eurovision annals, one of the most iconic being Bucks Fizz’s tribute to Velcro with “Making Your Mind Up in 1981”. And who could forget the dance that accompanied Brotherhood of Mans “Save Your Kisses for Me” in 1976?

Others you may, or may not, remember: the Swedish entry in 2000 with Native Indians stomping around the stage in a haze of smoke (hosts Sweden were clearly trying NOT to win the contest two years in a row). With more of a lifestyle statement than a gimmick, Israels Dana International made a stand for transsexuals when she won in 1998; the same year, Germanys Gildo Horn, a grinch in green velvet, made the Hunchback of Notre Dama look attractive as he clambered all over the set in Birmingham.

There have been been giant penguins, spot welding, PVC and fishnet, gold boots… the attempts to persuade us to vote have been many and surreal.

A few years back there was certainly a trend for the big stage number: witness Ukraines “Wild Dances”, a riot of whips and leather led by Warrior Princess Ruslana and some long-haired chaps whose stomping actually broke the stage. But that same year a 16-year-old British girl called Lisa Andreas represented Cyprus with a simple classy ballad. Looking like a young Barbra Streisand, she stood alone, bathed in light, to mesmerising effect.

Ok, so Ruslana romped to victory and Cyprus came 5th but the past couple of years have seen the rise of the ballad again. With entries throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the stage (and I think Switzerland actually used that and other implements in 1979), it is sometimes better to go for less is more. With “It’s My Time”, the UK entry written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Diane Warren, at last we have a classy song; its time to forget the cheesefest of Eurovisions past and send a class act.

And so to this weeks TV show. Is it me or is Andrew’s entrance getting bigger? First a shy regal wave to Rule Britannia, then he was flanked by two spangly lovelies reminiscent of Gina G in her groin-length sequin number. And on Saturday there were four young ladies decked out in red, white and blue.

This was the crunch week, the semi-final, the so-near-and-yet-so-far show that no one wanted to leave. Over the past three weeks we have become familiar with the acts strengths and weaknesses, and on Saturday all sought to show another side to their talents.

In this, Mark probably succeeded the most. With Justin Timberlake’s “Rock My Body”, a more stubbled, laid-back Welshman ditched his musical theatre veneer in favour of something more contemporary. After his performance of Rod Stewart’s “I Don’t Want To Talk About It”, Andrew said it was clear Mark had finished playing panto – he connected with the audience and gave his best performance so far.

Birthday girl Jade performed Celine Dion‘s “All By Myself” and Aretha Franklin‘s “Think”. “Truly extraordinary” was Andrew‘s comment and Emma Bunton agreed that Jade was brilliant and exciting.

With the Emperors of Soul – singing Take That’s Patience and Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl” – the panel again raised questions about the groups suitability for Eurovision. “But I have no doubt about your talent or your future,” said Andrew.

Finally, twins Francine and Nicola gave us The Everly Brothers “All I Want to Do is Dream” and “About You Now” by the Sugababes, after yet more tears. “Its the Eurovision Sob Contest,” joked Andrew. “There is something very special and unusual when they sing together in harmony,” he added. “It wouldn’t surprise me if Britain fell in love with them – but will the rest of Europe?”

It was a shock when Jade was put into the danger zone alongside Emperors of Soul but no surprise that Andrew saved her, and we are set for a nail-biting final on Saturday. It’s now make-or-break time for the UK reputation at Eurovision. We have a top-notch song – but will the voting public pick the right act to perform it?

Mark Cook (watching Eurovision since 1967)

Mark Cook is a journalist and theatre critic for the Guardian Guide and The Big Issue.

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