Theatre News

Really Useful Group takes legal action against cancelled US Superstar tour producers

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s company is taking action against Michael Cohl’s Options Clause Entertainment to recover costs

Ben Forster as Jesus in the UK Arena tour
Ben Forster as Jesus in the UK Arena tour
© Duncan Barnes

The Really Useful Group has today confirmed that it is taking legal action against the producer of the cancelled US tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, which was due to begin last month.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's company said they had no option but to proceed with the action against Michael Cohl's Options Clause Entertainment "to recover its costs associated with the project and in turn, satisfy outstanding payments to suppliers and contractors".

The show, which successfully toured arenas in the UK and Australia in 2012 and 2013, starred Ben Forster as Jesus, and was due to be joined by former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon as well as Destiny's Child's Michelle Williams.

Barney Wragg, the CEO of RUG, said: "The Really Useful Group is hugely disappointed to be let down in this way particularly taking into account the impact (both personal and financial) that it has had on the many people who have put so much hard work into this project".