West End Frame: Photo Feature: Andrew Lloyd Webber launches Stephen Ward musical

Charlotte Blackledge &
Mandy Rice-Davies

Andrew Lloyd Webber launched his new musical Stephen Ward today (30th September) at a special event held at The Box in Soho. The event was also attended by the cast and creative team as well as VIP guest Mandy Rice-Davies. Take a look at images from the event below (click on an image to enlarge).

Stephen Ward, which has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and book and lyrics by playwright Christopher Hampton and lyricist Don Black, opens at the Aldwych Theatre on 19th December 2013 (previews from 3rd December). The production, directed by Richard Eyre, is currently booking to 1st March 2014.

Set and Costume designs are by Rob Howell, with lighting by Peter Mumford, sound by Paul Groothuis, projection design by Jon Driscolland choreography by Stephen Mear. Stephen Ward is produced by Robert Fox Limited and The Really Useful Group.

The cast for show's world premiere includes: Alexander Hanson as Stephen Ward, Charlotte Spencer as Christine Keeler, Charlotte Blackledge as Mandy Rice Davies, Anthony Calf as Lord Astor, Daniel Flynn as John Profumo, Joanna Riding as Valerie Hobson, Ian Conningham as Ivanov, Chris Howell as Murray,Ricardo Coke Thomas as Lucky Gordon and Wayne Robinson as Johnny Edgecombe.

Other cast members include: Martin Callaghan, Kate Coyston, Jason Denton, Julian Forsyth, Amy Griffiths, Paul Kemble, Emma Kate Nelson, Carl Sanderson, Emily Squibb, John Stacey, Helen Ternent and Tim Walton.

1963. The scandal that shocked society. Stephen Ward charts the rise and fall from grace of the society osteopath. Friend to film stars, spies, models, government ministers and aristocrats, his rise and ultimate disgrace coincided with the increasingly permissive lifestyle of London's elite in the early 1960's. The musical centres on Ward's involvement with the young and beautiful Christine Keeler and their chance meeting in a West End night club which led to one of the biggest political scandals and trials of the 20th century.