Professional Theatre Groups Have the RUG Pulled out from Under Them.

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's first collaboration, The Likes of Us is to be handed over solely to amateur dramatic clubs in a landmark deal between the Really Useful Group and the National Operatic and Dramatic Association.

Written in 1965 The Likes of Us was scheduled for several provincial runs in the 1960s but nothing ever materialised and the show wasn't performed. Following the true story of the celebrated philanthropist Dr Barnardo, The Likes of us received its world premier at the Sydmonton Festival in 2005. With a cast that boasted the likes of Rice himself and literary polymath Stephen Fry, the show received a warm reception but has never been performed since.

Now, the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (the main body for amateur arts groups) has been handed the rites to The Likes of Us by Webber's theatre company The Really Useful Group before any professional outfits can get access to it. NODA chief executive Tony Gibbs described the decision as an example of “professional and amateur theatre coming together”. He went on to say that The Likes of Us would form part of the NODA youth development strategy, which is being introduced to encourage young people around the country to get involved in amateur dramatics.

In an interview with The Stage, Tim Rice added: “I understand that the amateur circuit is always short of good stuff to do, so the more they have, the merrier. This one is interesting because there is an awful lot you can do with it. It will be an interesting task for schools and amateurs to see how they can make it work.”

Amateur productions are scheduled from 1st September 2008 with, as yet, no plans to transfer to the West End.

Published by: Nathan Brooker