Multi-award-winning lyricist and author Tim Rice’s eagerly-awaited online musical theatre course will available from 27 September on the BBC Maestro platform.
The exclusive 23 lesson course, Writing and Performing Musical Theatre, offers those hoping to break into the genre an insight into what it takes to make a career in musical theatre.
Unveiling details of his course, Rice said: “In my BBC Maestro course, I will look at my process for writing for musical theatre, along with candidly sharing the ups and downs that come with the choice of doing this career for a living. I will break down some of my greatest hits to allow you to see how one gets from an initial idea to successfully telling a rich story.
“No one formally taught me how to write a smash hit musical, and there is no playbook for this kind of career path. I hope that sharing what I can and giving you an insight into my techniques and processes will help you take the first steps you’ve been waiting for, put pen to paper, and write the next West End and Broadway smash hit!
“Every musical you write will teach you more about the technique and art of writing and composing; it will teach you more about yourself and your amazing ability to inspire others with your ideas. You will never stop growing as long as you remain true to what it is you want to say.”
“My journey was an unconventional one, and I will use this BBC Maestro course to show you that as long as you have passion for storytelling and musical theatre, you can find your own path to success. No two paths are the same, but perhaps yours starts here.”
Subjects covered within the course will include What Makes a Good Lyric, Artistic Collaboration, Writing for Film, Performance: Auditioning Tips, Writing a Hit Song, Adapting a Failed Song and Getting a Musical Produced Today.
Rice will be joined a number of expert guests including eight-time Oscar-winner Alan Menken, casting director Jane Deitch and theatrical producer Nick Allott.
Angela Thomas
Tim Rice has worked in music, theatre, and films since 1965 when he met Andrew Lloyd Webber, a fellow struggling songwriter. Rather than pursue Rice’s ambitions to write rock or pop songs they turned their attention to Andrew’s obsession – musical theatre. Their first collaboration was based on the life of Dr Thomas Barnardo, the Victorian philanthropist, The Likes of Us. Their next three works together were much more successful – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita.
Rice has since worked with other distinguished popular composers such as Elton John (The Lion King, Aida), Alan Menken (Aladdin, King David, Beauty and the Beast), Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (Chess), and Stuart Brayson (From Here to Eternity). He has also written with Freddie Mercury, Burt Bacharach and Rick Wakeman among others.
He is currently writing and presenting a podcast (entitled Get Onto My Cloud) reminiscing about his years in music, theatre and film – playing hits and flops, out-takes and number ones.
Every now and then, inspired by his hero and friend, the late Sammy Cahn, he presents an evening of his songs performed by top singers and musicians, to which Rice adds reminiscence and comment, recalling their creation, success (or rejection) and the joy (usually) of working with great composers.
His recent musical From Here to Eternity returned to London in November 2022. A new Broadway presentation of Chess is scheduled in the fall of 2023. In early 2024 a new production of his Tony-winning Broadway hit Aida will make its UK West End debut.
Rice’s interests beyond music, film and theatre include cricket, as English an interest as you can get. He founded his own cricket team in 1973, which has now played over 700 matches including several in the USA.
He dedicates considerable time to several British educational institutions and charitable organisations, many connected with sport for disadvantaged children.
He crops up here and there in all branches of the media drawing on his extensive knowledge of the history of popular music since Elvis was a lad. He has won several awards including one Emmy, five Grammys, three Oscars and three Tonys, making him an EGOT. None more gratifying than the Johnny Mercer award.
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