No Andrew Lloyd Webber Casting Shows in 2009

Theatre mogul, Andrew Lloyd Webber, will not be involved with a television casting show in 2009. Previous shows such as I'd Do Anything, Any Dream Will Do and How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? have made household names of Lee Mead, Connie Fisher and Jodie Prenger.

Lloyd Webber is said to be concentrating on the upcoming Phantom of the Opera sequel, Phantom: Once Upon Another Time, and so is unable to devote enough time to another talent search. Lloyd Webber's most recent casting show, I'd Do Anything, saw Jodie Prenger awarded the role of Nancy in the upcoming revival of Oliver!

Webber has not ruled out the possibility of another casting programme in the future. He was recently reported as saying "I will do the search in 2010 to find Dorothy and possibly Toto the dog," in reference to a planned production of The Wizard of Oz.

It is unclear whether a lack of involvement from Lloyd Webber will prevent the BBC making another casting programme. Although he is the biggest name in musical theatre, Lloyd Webber is by no means the only person in the West End capable of fronting such a programme. We'll just have to wait and see what 2009 brings.