At the special evening event in March, pupils, parents and staff enjoyed hearing Andrew Lloyd Webber recall his schooldays, reflect on the world of musical theatre, and champion the role of music in young people’s lives.

Having shaped musical theatre across the West End, Broadway and beyond for more than 50 years, Lloyd Webber – who was made a Lord in 1997 – stepped back into the very hall where he once staged a rock show to celebrate Peter and Gordon becoming the first Westminsters to reach number one in 1965.

Joined on stage by his son, Alastair Webber, and interviewer Saathana (Sixth Form, BB), he began by recalling his time as a Queen’s Scholar from 1960-65 and how the School’s liberal nature gave him the freedom and space to create multiple shows. His interests were vast at School (he was passionate about Victorian architecture among other things).

Turning to his career, he spoke about the building blocks of musical theatre, the many genres it encompasses and the factors that can determine a show’s success. CATS, he explained, had been a personal challenge – rather than composing the music first and collaborating with lyricists later, as was his usual process, he attempted the reverse, setting TS Eliot’s poems to music. Thinking about what makes a musical resonate, even the strongest score, he noted, cannot compensate for a weak story. He praised Hamilton as a groundbreaking work and argued that the world would benefit from another musical of similar cultural impact.

He also talked about luck. Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat began modestly, written as a short ‘pop cantata’ whilst still a teen for an end of term concert and was attended, as he joked in an interview for the School’s magazine The Elizabethan in 1980, by only ‘a few bored parents’ and, crucially, a Sunday Times critic whose enthusiastic review led to a recording contract and paved the way for the show’s future. He also acknowledged how the cultural zeitgeist influences a show’s reception. Evita emerged from Tim Rice’s fascination with Radio 4’s programme on influential historical figures and gained momentum partly because its themes echoed the political climates of countries then governed by military juntas.

Speaking more about some of his most famous works, he explained how he came to use biblical stories. He drew inspiration from The Wonder Book of Bible Stories and, after meeting Tim Rice, realised the dramatic potential of the story of Joseph – and then, in Jesus Christ Superstar (Alastair’s favourite of his father’s works), decided to tell the story from point of view of Judas.

Lloyd Webber and his son, co-founder of The Other Songs, a record label supporting artists globally, both spoke candidly about the impact of music and wider arts funding cuts on young people’s life chances, noting that talent from all walks of life would go unnoticed without the right support and encouragement. Talking about accessibility and the musical landscape, another reality noted was that musicals are becoming too expensive to put on in Broadway, with the West End not far behind.

An overarching message on the evening was the value in putting oneself out there and focusing on the things that genuinely spark interest. A young Andrew Lloyd Webber had pursued popular musical theatre at a time when it was unfashionable; pupils, he encouraged, should pursue whatever inspires them.

Saathana said: “Interviewing Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber and Alastair Webber was an incredible experience. From discussing landmark musicals such Phantom and Joseph, to sharing insightful stories from his career, the audience was captivated. What struck me most was his reflection on his time at Westminster School and his ongoing work with the Music in Secondary Schools Trust (MiSST), championing access to music education. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of the arts, and I think everyone in the room came away inspired. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to have spoken with someone with such extraordinary experience and influence.”

Florence (Sixth Form, CC) said: “It’s not every day you get to hear from someone who once walked the same corridors as you, and then went on to shape modern musical theatre, so meeting Andrew Lloyd Webber felt pretty surreal. What stood out most was the sense that his journey started somewhere very familiar to all of us. Seeing him return and reflect on how this school played a part in his path was genuinely inspiring and made the idea of achieving something extraordinary feel that bit closer to home.”

Jixuan (Sixth Form, BB) said: “As a composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s words and encouragement meant the world to me. Listening to his story of how he became one of the greats in musical theatre from Westminster School was truly inspiring.”

Forming part of the School’s Horizons Lecture Series – which runs throughout the School year and is designed to build experiences for pupils to access ‘the global good’ in educational practice, especially at Higher Education level – Saathana and the PopSoc Committee arranged the talk in conjunction with a charitable initiative they are launching, encouraging the school community to donate unused musical instruments so that children who might otherwise not own an instrument can access and enjoy playing one.