Discover the life and legacy of Andrew Lloyd Webber, one of the most influential figures in musical theatre. From his early beginnings to his iconic achievements, this page delves into the story of a man whose creativity and vision have transformed the stage and inspired audiences around the world. Explore his journey, his impact on theatre, and the passion that drives his extraordinary work.
Andrew Lloyd Webber has composed the scores of some of the world’s most famous musicals. Lloyd Webber had shows running continually in the West End for 50 years and on Broadway for 43.
When Sunset Boulevard joined School of Rock, CATS, and The Phantom of the Opera he equalled Rodgers & Hammerstein’s record of four shows running simultaneously on Broadway. He is one of the select group of artists with EGOT status, having received Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards.
Lloyd Webber owns six London theatres including the iconic London Palladium and Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Reopened in July 2021, the latter was completely restored and renovated at a cost of over £60 million. It was one of the biggest projects ever undertaken by a private theatre owner in recent times. His mantra is that every penny of profit made from his theatres is ploughed back into the buildings.
Lloyd Webber is passionate about the importance of musical education and diversity in the arts. The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation provides 30 performing arts scholarships every year for talented students with financial need and supports a range of projects such as the Music In Secondary School Trust and commissioning research into diversity in theatre.
Andrew Lloyd Webber has composed music for globally significant moments, including Olympic ceremonies and World Cup celebrations. He has been asked to compose for many Royal occasions, the most recent being “Make a Joyful Noise”, an Anthem for the Coronation of King Charles III.
Andrew Lloyd Webber was knighted in 1992, created an honorary life peer in 1997, and made a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter by King Charles III in 2024.
The London revival of Sunset Boulevard was nominated for 11 Olivier Awards and won 7 on 14 April 2024, including 'Best Musical Revival', 'Best Actor in a Musical', 'Best Actress in a Musical', 'Best Director', 'Best Lighting Design', 'Best Sound Design', and 'Outstanding Musical Contribution'. This production also won two Evening Standard Theatre Awards in 2023 and seven WhatsOnStage Awards in 2024.
The London revival of Sunset Boulevard was nominated for 11 Olivier Awards and won 7 on 14 April 2024, including 'Best Musical Revival', 'Best Actor in a Musical', 'Best Actress in a Musical', 'Best Director', 'Best Lighting Design', 'Best Sound Design', and 'Outstanding Musical Contribution'. This production also won two Evening Standard Theatre Awards in 2023 and seven WhatsOnStage Awards in 2024.
The 2016 revival of Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre was nominated for 6 Laurence Olivier Awards and won 'Best Musical Revival' at the annual ceremony on 9 April 2017. This production also won 2 Evening Standard Theatre Awards in 2016, including 'Best Musical' and Tyrone Huntley for the 'Emerging Talent' award.
The 2016 revival of Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre was nominated for 6 Laurence Olivier Awards and won 'Best Musical Revival' at the annual ceremony on 9 April 2017. This production also won 2 Evening Standard Theatre Awards in 2016, including 'Best Musical' and Tyrone Huntley for the 'Emerging Talent' award.
On 9 April 2017, the London production of School of Rock the musical was nominated for 3 Laurence Olivier awards, including 'Best New Musical' and David Fynn for 'Best Actor in a Musical', and it won the award for 'Outstanding Achievement in Music'.
On 9 April 2017, the London production of School of Rock the musical was nominated for 3 Laurence Olivier awards, including 'Best New Musical' and David Fynn for 'Best Actor in a Musical', and it won the award for 'Outstanding Achievement in Music'.
Glenn Close made her West End debut as Norma in a 5-week run at the London Coliseum on 4 April 2016, which was presented by the English National Opera. For her performance, Glenn won the 2016 Evening Standard Theatre Award for 'Best Musical Performance'.
Glenn Close made her West End debut as Norma in a 5-week run at the London Coliseum on 4 April 2016, which was presented by the English National Opera. For her performance, Glenn won the 2016 Evening Standard Theatre Award for 'Best Musical Performance'.
The Evita film adaptation was nominated for 5 Academy Awards at the 69th annual ceremony on 24 March 1997. Andrew won the award for 'Best Original Song' with the song 'You Must Love Me', which has been covered by many different artists over the years including Lana Del Ray, which was released on the compilation album 'Unmasked: The Platinum Collection'.
The Evita film adaptation was nominated for 5 Academy Awards at the 69th annual ceremony on 24 March 1997. Andrew won the award for 'Best Original Song' with the song 'You Must Love Me', which has been covered by many different artists over the years including Lana Del Ray, which was released on the compilation album 'Unmasked: The Platinum Collection'.
On 4 June 1995, the Broadway production of Sunset Boulevard was nominated for an outstanding 11 Tony Awards at the 49th annual ceremony. The show won seven, including 'Best Musical', 'Best Original Score', 'Best Book of a Musical', 'Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical', 'Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical', 'Best Scenic Design', and 'Best Lighting Design'. This production also won the Drama Desk Award for 'Outstanding Actress in a Musical' in the same year.
On 4 June 1995, the Broadway production of Sunset Boulevard was nominated for an outstanding 11 Tony Awards at the 49th annual ceremony. The show won seven, including 'Best Musical', 'Best Original Score', 'Best Book of a Musical', 'Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical', 'Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical', 'Best Scenic Design', and 'Best Lighting Design'. This production also won the Drama Desk Award for 'Outstanding Actress in a Musical' in the same year.
The West End revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium was nominated for 6 Laurence Olivier awards in 1992. Mark Thompson walked away with the award for 'Best Set Designer' for the production alongside his work on 'The Comedy of Errors' for the RSC at the Barbican.
The West End revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium was nominated for 6 Laurence Olivier awards in 1992. Mark Thompson walked away with the award for 'Best Set Designer' for the production alongside his work on 'The Comedy of Errors' for the RSC at the Barbican.
On 5 June 1988, the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera was nominated for ten Tony Awards at the 42nd annual event. The show won seven awards including 'Best Musical', 'Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical', 'Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical', 'Best Direction of a Musical', 'Best Scenic Design', 'Best Costume Design', and 'Best Lighting Design'.
On 5 June 1988, the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera was nominated for ten Tony Awards at the 42nd annual event. The show won seven awards including 'Best Musical', 'Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical', 'Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical', 'Best Direction of a Musical', 'Best Scenic Design', 'Best Costume Design', and 'Best Lighting Design'.
On 5 June 1988, the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera was nominated for 9 Drama Desk Awards at the 33rd annual event. The show won 7 awards including Michael Crawford for 'Outstanding Actor in a Musical', Harold Prince for 'Outstanding Director of a Musical', Andrew for 'Outstanding Music', Andrew and David Cullen for 'Outstanding Orchestrations', Maria Björnson for 'Outstanding Costume Design' and 'Outstanding Set Design', and Andrew Bridge for 'Outstanding Lighting Design'.
On 5 June 1988, the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera was nominated for 9 Drama Desk Awards at the 33rd annual event. The show won 7 awards including Michael Crawford for 'Outstanding Actor in a Musical', Harold Prince for 'Outstanding Director of a Musical', Andrew for 'Outstanding Music', Andrew and David Cullen for 'Outstanding Orchestrations', Maria Björnson for 'Outstanding Costume Design' and 'Outstanding Set Design', and Andrew Bridge for 'Outstanding Lighting Design'.
On 7 June 1987, the new Broadway production of Starlight Express received an epic 7 Tony Award nominations at the 41st annual ceremony where John Napier walked away with the award for 'Best Costume Design'. Later that year, this production was also nominated for 4 Drama Desk awards; John Napier won again - this time for 'Outstanding Set Design' and 'Outstanding Costume Design'.
On 7 June 1987, the new Broadway production of Starlight Express received an epic 7 Tony Award nominations at the 41st annual ceremony where John Napier walked away with the award for 'Best Costume Design'. Later that year, this production was also nominated for 4 Drama Desk awards; John Napier won again - this time for 'Outstanding Set Design' and 'Outstanding Costume Design'.
On 7 December 1986, the original London production of The Phantom of the Opera was nominated for 3 Laurence Olivier Awards and won 2, including 'Best New Musical' and Michael Crawford for 'Best Actor in a Musical'. This production also won the Evening Standard Theatre Award for 'Best Musical' in the same year. It then went on to win 2 more Laurence Olivier Awards for 'Most Popular Show' in 2002 and the 'Magic Radio Audience Award' in 2016.
On 7 December 1986, the original London production of The Phantom of the Opera was nominated for 3 Laurence Olivier Awards and won 2, including 'Best New Musical' and Michael Crawford for 'Best Actor in a Musical'. This production also won the Evening Standard Theatre Award for 'Best Musical' in the same year. It then went on to win 2 more Laurence Olivier Awards for 'Most Popular Show' in 2002 and the 'Magic Radio Audience Award' in 2016.
On 28 February 1984, Andrew won an award at the 26th annual Grammy Awards for the 'Best Cast Show Album' with the CATS Original Broadway Cast Recording album.
On 28 February 1984, Andrew won an award at the 26th annual Grammy Awards for the 'Best Cast Show Album' with the CATS Original Broadway Cast Recording album.
At the 37th annual Tony Awards on 5 June 1983, CATS was nominated for ten awards and won seven, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Costume Design, and Best Lighting Design.
At the 37th annual Tony Awards on 5 June 1983, CATS was nominated for ten awards and won seven, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Costume Design, and Best Lighting Design.
The original production of CATS received a number of nominations and won 5 awards, including 'Best Musical' at the 1981 Evening Standard Theatre Awards, 'Best New Musical' and Gillian Lynne for 'Outstanding Achievement in a Musical' at the 1981 Laurence Olivier Awards, 'Best British Musical' and "Memory" for 'Best Song Musically and Lyrically' at the 1982 Ivor Novello Awards.
The original production of CATS received a number of nominations and won 5 awards, including 'Best Musical' at the 1981 Evening Standard Theatre Awards, 'Best New Musical' and Gillian Lynne for 'Outstanding Achievement in a Musical' at the 1981 Laurence Olivier Awards, 'Best British Musical' and "Memory" for 'Best Song Musically and Lyrically' at the 1982 Ivor Novello Awards.
Following the opening on Broadway, Evita won the 'Best Cast Show Album' award for the American Premiere Album at the 23rd annual Grammy Awards on 25 February 1981.
Following the opening on Broadway, Evita won the 'Best Cast Show Album' award for the American Premiere Album at the 23rd annual Grammy Awards on 25 February 1981.
In 1980, the original Broadway production of Evita was nominated for 10 Drama Desk Awards and won 6, including 'Outstanding Musical', Tim Rice for 'Outstanding Lyrics', Andrew for 'Outstanding Music', Patti LuPone for 'Outstanding Actress in a Musical', Bob Gunton for 'Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical', and Harold Prince for 'Outstanding Director of a Musical'.
In 1980, the original Broadway production of Evita was nominated for 10 Drama Desk Awards and won 6, including 'Outstanding Musical', Tim Rice for 'Outstanding Lyrics', Andrew for 'Outstanding Music', Patti LuPone for 'Outstanding Actress in a Musical', Bob Gunton for 'Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical', and Harold Prince for 'Outstanding Director of a Musical'.
On 8 June 1980, the original Broadway production of Evita won an impressive seven awards at the 34th annual Tony Awards including 'Best Musical', 'Best Book of Musical', 'Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical', 'Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical', 'Best Original Score', 'Best Direction of a Musical', and 'Best Lighting Design'. It was also nominated for four other awards that year.
On 8 June 1980, the original Broadway production of Evita won an impressive seven awards at the 34th annual Tony Awards including 'Best Musical', 'Best Book of Musical', 'Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical', 'Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical', 'Best Original Score', 'Best Direction of a Musical', and 'Best Lighting Design'. It was also nominated for four other awards that year.
In late 1978, the London production of Evita starring Elaine Paige received four nominations at the Laurence Olivier Awards. Andrew won the award for 'Musical of the Year', and Elaine Paige won the award for 'Performance of the Year in a Musical'.
In late 1978, the London production of Evita starring Elaine Paige received four nominations at the Laurence Olivier Awards. Andrew won the award for 'Musical of the Year', and Elaine Paige won the award for 'Performance of the Year in a Musical'.
In 1972, the original Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar was nominated for 5 Tony Awards. Later that year Andrew won the Drama Desk Award for 'Most Promising Composer'.
In 1972, the original Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar was nominated for 5 Tony Awards. Later that year Andrew won the Drama Desk Award for 'Most Promising Composer'.
