Sir Tim Rice to teach Writing and Performing Musical Theatre with BBC Studios partner BBC Maestro

Photographer credit: Gareth Iwan Jones

Sir Tim Rice is the latest name set to join BBC Maestro’s platform of world-class experts, sharing backstage access to the world of musical theatre, songwriting and performance.

In this exclusive online course for BBC Maestro, Sir Tim, one of only 18 people ever to have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award, will break down his creative process from initial idea to final performance, sharing invaluable insights and an unrivalled understanding of what’s needed to make it in musicals. The lyric-writing legend behind Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Aladdin, and The Lion King, Sir Tim is synonymous with musicals throughout Broadway and the West End, his collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Elton John recognised as some of the most influential in musical theatre history.

Spanning over 20 lessons, those keen to break into the genre will learn to hone their storytelling through writing, performing and collaborating. In addition to in-depth break downs of Sir Tim’s most beloved songs, the course will feature technical guidance on the art of performance, essential steps to crafting a timeless musical, and the business of writing for film – including both Disney and Bond. Lessons will cover hard-earned guidance on financing creative projects, advice on handling career setbacks, and explore the shared DNA between musicals, pop and rock. Renowned names from the world of musical theatre will accompany Sir Tim to share advice on the process needed to create a compelling performance on stage. Detailed course notes will offer practical tips and interactive exercises to further develop aspiring lyricists and performers’ musical toolkit.

“Your musical theatre journey can start anywhere, never let an opportunity pass you by – no matter how small it may seem. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat originally began as a 15-minute end-of-term play for a school. It’s been a pleasure to share my experience with BBC Maestro in the hope it will inspire a new generation of writers and performers and to give their ideas and lyrics a chance to shine.”

Sir Tim’s course on Writing and Performing Musical Theatre will be available later this summer via bbcmaestro.com. The BBC Maestro platform features a series of extended, in-depth lessons filmed in 4K with an eclectic mix of prestigious experts and allows participants to explore new areas of learning from the comfort of their own home. The commercial online education platform developed and operated by Maestro Media Ltd offers individual courses which can be purchased for £80, and annual subscriptions for £110.

To keep up to date with all news on Sir Tim’s course, sign up for the latest announcements via his BBC Maestro page or follow @bbcmaestro on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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About Sir Tim Rice

Tim Rice has worked in music, theatre and films since 1965 when he met Andrew Lloyd Webber, a fellow struggling songwriter. Rather than pursue

Tim’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.

Tim 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, mercifully performed by top singers and musicians rather than by him, to which Tim 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 début.

Sir Tim’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 Tonys and three Oscars, making him an EGOT. None more gratifying than the Johnny Mercer award.

About BBC Studios

BBC Studios is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group with profits (EBITDA) of £226 million on sales of £1.6bn (21/22). Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, its activities span content financing, development, production, sales, branded services, and ancillaries across both its own productions, and programmes and formats made by high-quality UK independents, with three-quarters of its revenues from non-BBC customers including Discovery, Apple and Netflix. Around 2,400 hours of award-winning British programmes made by the business are internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, with brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, Top Gear, Bluey and Doctor Who. BBC.com, BBC Studios’ global digital news platform, has 139 million unique browser visits each month.