Big Interview: Alexander Hanson discusses Single Spies, Stephen Ward and the future of new musicals…

Alexander Hanson is currently starring in Alan Bennett’s Single Spies (the award-winning double bill of An Englishman Abroad and A Question of Attribution) at the Rose Theatre in Kingston. 

Alexander most recently created the title role in the world premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Stephen Ward. His theatre credits also include: Jesus Christ Superstar (arena tour), A Little Night Music (Menier/West End/Broadway), Marguerite (Theatre Royal Haymarket), The Sound of Music (Palladium), We Will Rock You (Dominion), Candide, Copenhagen, The Merchant of Venice (National), Sunset Boulevard (Adelphi), Talking to Terrorists (Royal Court) and Hay Fever and Translations (Chichester Festival Theatre). 

I recently spoke to Alexander about his new role in Single Spies and the secret of Alan Bennett’s success as well as his thoughts about Stephen Ward and the future of new West End musicals…

How much did you already know about Single Spies? What attracted you to the project?

I kind of knew a little bit about it because I had seen it years ago on the telly with Alan Bates. I had also seen A Question of Attribution with James Fox, both were quite brilliant. I’ve always had a slight fascination for those guys. I remember my interest being peaked by an article that William Boyd, the novelist, wrote in the Observer one Sunday. I think he was promoting his book, Restless, which is a spy novel and features a kind of Philby-esque type character in it. I remember it just caught me. Then this year, quite coincidentally, Ben Macintyre came out with his new book A Spy Among Friends which was about Philby so I thought I would give it a read. It’s a riveting read but at the time I knew nothing about Single Spies. It came up and I was drawn to it. 

Review: Andrew Lloyd Webber's Stephen Ward at the Aldwych Theatre

Stephen Ward
Aldwych Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 20th December 2013

2013 has seen some incredible, as well as some terrible, productions open in London’s West End and Stephen Ward, Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical about the Profumo scandal, is neither. The production is far from awful, but it doesn't seem to connect with audiences. 

From the moment Lloyd Webber announced that he was working on a show about the Profumo scandal everybody seemed to be asking how such a topic would work as a musical. I was open minded but unfortunately I don't think it quite works. 

The score has some great moments. I grew fond of the instantly catchy 'Human Sacrifice' and enjoyed listening to 'You've Never Had It So Good' (aka the orgy number, which features some revolting staging), and, despite sounding a little dated, '1963'. One issue with the score is that Ward dominates the first few numbers which lose individuality and begin to roll into one tangled song. 

UPDATED: Sneak peek at... Andrew Lloyd Webber's Stephen Ward

Production images have been released for Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical Stephen Ward which is currently in previews at the Aldwych Theatre. The production officially opens next week on 19th December 2013. Take a look the the images below (click on a picture to enlarge).

Stephen Ward, which has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and book and lyrics by playwright Christopher Hampton and lyricist Don Black, is directed by Richard Eyre and is currently booking until 1st March 2014. Set and Costume designs are by Rob Howell, with lighting by Peter Mumford, sound by Paul Groothuis, projection design by Jon Driscoll and choreography by Stephen Mear. Stephen Ward is produced by Robert Fox Limited and The Really Useful Group. 

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. 

Full casting announced for Stephen Ward

Alexander Hanson as
Stephen Ward

Full casting has been announced for the World Premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical, Stephen Ward, directed by Richard Eyre.

The production will star 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 Edgecomp. 

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.

CONFIRMED: Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical 'Stephen Ward' to premiere at the Aldwych Theatre in December

After months of speculation, it has finally been confirmed that Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical, Stephen Ward, will receive its world premiere in the West End later this year.

Directed by Richard Eyre, Stephen Ward will open at the Aldwych Theatre (currently home to Top Hat) on 19th December 2013 (previews from 3rd December) and is currently booking until 1st March 2014. Tickets go on sale on 28th June, starting from £15. Top price seats cost £57.50 and casting will be announced in due course.

Top Hat to close on 26th October, followed by 2014/15 UK Tour

After months of rumours, it has been confirmed that the West End production of Top Hat will close at the Aldwych Theatre on 26th October 2013, apparently making way for the world premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical, Stephen Ward. There are plans for 2014/15 UK Tour.

Top Hat’s producer Kenny Wax said "It has been such a great privilege to have produced the first ever stage adaptation of Top Hat. We look forward to taking the production out on an 18 month national and international tour and over the years to come I have no doubt that the stage musical will be performed by both professional and amateur companies all over the world. I hope they have as much fun as we're having."

Theatre Gossip: Top Hat to close and be replaced by National Theatre's This House, followed by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Stephen Ward

According to the Daily Mail, Top Hat will close later this year and the National Theatre's "political powerhouse of a play" This House will replace the musical in September for a 16 week season. Top Hat won Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards and recently celebrated its first birthday in the West End. We would like to make it very clear that this news has not yet been confirmed by the show's producers.

Seventy seven years after its movie release which saw Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers playing the roles of Jerry Travers and Dale Tremont, Matthew White's production arrived in the West End in April 2012 having completed a 20 week sell-out UK tour. 

Theatre Gossip: Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical to open later this year?

According to the Daily Mail, Andrew Lloyd Webber is planning to open his new musical Stephen Ward in the West End later this year, but only if the right theatre can be secured. He is hoping to begin rehearsals in October so previews can begin in late November.

Stephen Ward is set against the backdrop of scandal and betrayal in the Sixties. Apparently things are moving so quickly due to the harmony the composer has with old friends Don Black and Christopher Hampton, who are also involved in the project.

Theatre Gossip: Andrew Lloyd Webber bringing School Of Rock to the West End

Andrew Lloyd Webber is planning a stage show adaptation of School of Rock. The composer revealed to CBC Radio that he has acquired the rights to the 2003 comedy movie starring Jack Black. He explained that he will undertake the project once he has completed work on his upcoming musical based on the Profumo scandal.

Andrew told host Jian Ghomeshi that he was "very excited" about the idea, and that he may add new songs to the musical. "There may be songs for me in it, but it's obviously got songs in it as it stands," Andrew said. School of Rock follows struggling rocker Dewey Finn pretending to be his substitute teacher friend, before guiding his new pupils on a battle of the bands competition. 

Andrew Lloyd Webber to release first song from new musical Stephen Ward

Miloš Karadaglić

The first song from Andrew Lloyd Webber's new show Stephen Ward will be released on Easter Sunday (31st March). The songs release will follow its world premiere performance by the chart-topping star guitarist Miloš Karadaglić, during Andrew Lloyd Webber's ITV special. 

The theme from Stephen Ward, by Andrew Lloyd Webber, was specially arranged for classical guitar. Miloš Karadaglić also features on the recorded version.

The arrangement is taken from the score of Stephen Ward, a new musical in development by Andrew Lloyd Webber with book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton. The show tells the story of the Profumo Affair from the perspective of Dr Stephen Ward, the society osteopath at the centre of the scandal. Directed by Richard Eyre, the show chronicles the emergence of 60s cultural revolution and the repression and revolt of the old guard against the new concepts and ideals.

Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber planning new musical

Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber has revealed that he is planning a new musical. The composer said that he would like to write a story based on the life of Dr Stephen Ward, who became nationally known after his involvement in the infamous Profumo Affair in 1963.

Ward was known to have introduced showgirl Christine Keeler to married cabinet minister John Profumo, who later began having an affair with her, causing a dramatic scandal within the Conservative government at the time. The osteopath was charged with living off the profits of so-called prostitution, and soon after committed suicide with a sleeping pill overdose.

During an interview on Lorraine he said "I'm going to do a musical, about the life of Stephen Ward, who was stitched up in the Profumo Affair, It was about the need for a scapegoat. It's such a contemporary story, because the media is always in need for a scapegoat."