Andrew Lloyd Webber Working on New Profumo Affair Musical?

Musical theatre legend Andrew Lloyd Webber revealed today that he is thinking about basing his next musical project on the Profumo affair, which went down almost 50 years ago.

This morning on Chris Evans' Breakfast Show he explained: "I'm looking for a subject at the moment and I think I've found one. You always have to go and try these things. Stephen Ward really intrigues me and was a fantastically interesting character. The most popular man in London who ended up with absolutely nobody after the trial and everything. I kind of think he was the fall guy."

The Profumo Affair was a 1963 British political scandal named after John Profumo, Secretary of State for War. His affair with Christine Keeler, the reputed mistress of an alleged Russian spy, followed by lying in the House of Commons when he was questioned about it, forced the resignation of Profumo and damaged the reputation of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan's government. Macmillan himself resigned a few months later due to ill health.

Lloyd Webber has two of his most popular shows returning to Broadway this spring. Webber and Tim Rice's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR will open March 22, 2012 (previews begin March 1) at the Neil Simon Theatre. The cast will feature Paul Nolan as Jesus Christ, Josh Young as Judas Iscariot, Chilina Kennedy as Mary Magdalene, Tom Hewitt as Pontius Pilate, Bruce Dow as King Herod, Marcus Nance as Caiaphas and Aaron Walpole as Annas.

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's landmark musical EVITA will open April 5, 2012 at the Marquis Theatre, with previews beginning Monday, March 12, 2012. Included in the cast will be world renowned music artist Ricky Martin as Che, Olivier Award-winning Argentinean actress Elena Roger in her Broadway debut as Eva Perón, Tony Award-winner Michael Cerveris as Juan Perón, Max von Essen as Magaldi, and Rachel Potter as the Mistress.

Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski