Overview
If it wasn't for composer and theatre impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber, the world of musicals would've looked mighty different over the past half-century. His songs and compositions echo through everything from the Phantom of the Opera and Jesus Christ Superstar to Evita and Cats. (Yes, he's one of the folks who helped the word "jellicle" become lodged in everyone's brains for nearly four decades now.)
In short, Lloyd Webber boasts quite the resume — and, while his musicals aren't treading any boards in the present circumstances, they are coming to a brand new YouTube channel called The Shows Must Go On. Starting from April 4, it'll release a different high-profile production each week, with the chosen show playing for 48 hours from 5am AEST each Saturday. And, unlike tickets to Broadway or the West End, these streams are free.
It all starts with the 2000 adaptation of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat starring Donny Osmond, Maria Friedman, Richard Attenborough and Joan Collins. The following week, over the weekend of Easter, the 2012 version of Jesus Christ Superstar will be available to watch — complete with Aussie comedian Tim Minchin as Judas and Spice Girl Mel C as Mary Magdalene. And, from April 18, The Phantom of the Opera will hit the stream, courtesy of the 25th anniversary staging of the famous musical. On the channel's penultimate weekend, By Jeeves will be available to watch from Saturday, May 9 till Sunday, May 10.
Closing out the shows is Andrew Lloyd Webber's one and only Cats — let's hope this one is less of a catastrophe than last year's nightmarish film adaptation. Starring Elaine Paige and Sir John Mills and an eighty-piece orchestra, Cats will be available to stream from 4am AEST, Saturday, May 16 till Sunday, May 17.
Plus, if you're eager to peek behind the scenes, you'll be able to take a gander at backstage footage and clips of famous performances as well.
A scene from Jesus Christ Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice @ O2 Arena, London. (Opening 20-09-12) ©Tristram Kenton.
The Shows Must Go On will release a different production each week for six weeks, with future shows yet to be announced.
Top images: Cats; By Jeeves; Jesus Christ Superstar, Tristram Kenton; and The Phantom of the Opera.
Updated May 11.