Lloyd Webber Cancels Oz TV Casting Show???

Andrew Lloyd Webber has reportedly cancelled plans to find a Dorothy (and possibly a Toto) for his new production of The Wizard of Oz using reality TV casting.

The composer, who has previously overseen BBC casting shows How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, Any Dream Will Do and I'd Do Anything, has long been rumoured to be planning a similar venture for his new adaptation of the classic 1939 film musical, which is due in the West End sometime next year (See The Goss 12 Mar 2009).

It was recently reported that Lloyd Webber is collaborating with lyricist Glenn Slater - with whom he is working on forthcoming Phantom sequel Love Never Dies - on several new songs for his new stage version of The Wizard of Oz, and that Jeremy Sams has been approached to direct (See The Goss, 3 Apr 2009).

Speaking to The Sun about the casting show cancellation, Lloyd Webber’s business partner André Ptaszynski said: "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."

- by Rowena Betts - Theatregoer Reporter

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