New Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical Stephen Ward Sets West End World Premiere for December 2013

Stephen Ward, the latest musical from master composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, has officially set its world premiere in the West End. Five-time Olivier winner Richard Eyre will direct the show, which begins previews at the Aldwych Theatre on December 3, 2013 and opens on December 19.

Featuring a book and lyrics by Christopher Hampton and Don Black (who collaborated with Webber on Sunset Boulevard), Stephen Ward tells the story of the scandalous Profumo Affair of 1963, in which Secretary of State John Profumo had an affair with a call girl by way of an osteopathic experimentalist (the titular Stephen Ward) who stands trial for pimping out clients.

The creative team behind Stephen Ward includes design by Rob Howell, choreography by Stephen Mear, lighting by Peter Mumford and sound by Paul Groothuis. Casting will announced at a later date.

The musical enjoyed a starry reading in early 2013, directed by Eyre and featuring Alexander Hanson as Ward and Hal Fowler as Profumo.