Biography Page 4
The Phantom Of The Opera is the jewel in the crown of RUG’s copyright’s. In London there has never been a seat unsold, and the musical has achieved in excess of 99% of potential capacity wherever it has been presented. It is estimated that over 52 million people have seen the show and the box office gross worldwide stands at nearly 900 million pounds. Awards include the Laurence Olivier and Evening Standard Award for Bst Musical and seven Tony Awards.
Aside from the West End production, The Phantom Of The Opera is currently playing in New York, Japan, Toronto, Stockholm, Hamburg, Australia, Holland not to mention several touring productions in UK, USA, and Canada.
Proposed productions include Switzerland and South East Asia in 1995
ASPECTS OF LOVE
Aspects Of Love with lyrics by Don Black and Charles Hart is based on the novel of the same name by David Garrnett.
Aspects Of Love was first produced at the Prince Of Wales’ Theatre, london on 17 April 1989 where it ran for 1,325 performances, finally in closing on 20 June 1992. The cast included Ann Crumb, Michael Ball and Kevin Colson. During the run, principal cast members included Sarah Brightman, Susannah Fellowes, Helen Hobson, Barrie Inghan, David Malek and Michael Praed. A replica production, in which the original principals reprised their roles, was mounted at the Broadhurst Theatre, New York on 8 April 1990. It ran for 376 performances and closed on 2 March 1991. There have been extensive touring productions in the UK, Canada, USA, Japan and Australia.
SUNSET BOULEVARD
Based on the billy Wilder film starring Gloria Swanson and William Holden, the musical, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, book and lyrics by Christopher Hampton and Don Black, had its world premiere at the Adelphi Theatre on 12 July 1993. The role of norma Desmond was created by patti LuPone and kevin Anderson as Joe Gillis, Daniel Benzali as Max Von mayerling and Meredith Braun as Betty Schaefer.
The Los Angeles production of Sunset Boulevard opened on 9 December 1993 with Glenn Close (Norma Desmond), Alan Campbell (Joe Gillis), George Haern (Max Von Mayerling) and Judy Kuhn (Betty Schaefer). The Los Angeles production gave Andrew Lloyd Webber and entire creative team a chance to reconsider the first production. Just the Presence of Billy Wilder and his incisive comments, generously given, inspired all. The decision was given to present the Los Angeles award-winning production in London and the show was relaunched at the Adelphi Theatre on 7 April 1994.
Sunset Boulevard has to date, been seen by over 1 million people and has grossed over 30 milllion pounds.