Andrew Lloyd Webber Ditches Oz

20 July 2009

1Comments | Comment on this Article

Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber has pulled out of plans to turn 'The Wizard of Oz' into a musical reality TV show.

The composer has decided against the BBC programme - aimed at finding a performer for the lead role of 'Dorothy' in the London musical - because he fears he would be accused of doing it to get publicity for his new show 'Love Never Dies'.

'The Wizard of Oz' will still be turned into a production but auditions will be held the regular way.

Andrew's business partner Andre Ptaszynski said: "We will not be finding Dorothy through a BBC reality show - we've pulled it.

We will not be finding Dorothy through a BBC reality show - we've pulled it.It's just too risky. It's only been in the last two or three weeks that we've realised how much of a field day people would have with it.

"It's just too risky. It's only been in the last two or three weeks that we've realised how much of a field day people would have with it.

"Andrew would be accused of doing the BBC show just to get publicity for 'Love Never Dies'. The BBC would then be made to look like it was giving him undue prominence.

"We spoke with BBC director general Mark Thompson and we agreed to pull it. It is no reflection on our relationship with the BBC - Andrew loves making shows with producers there."

Andrew has previously worked with the BBC on three shows to find a new West End star - 'How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?', 'Any Dream Will Do' and 'I'd Do Anything'.

'Love Never Dies' is a sequel to Andrew's previous show, 'Phantom of the Opera'.