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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Russell Myers

Queen's top secret Jubilee project with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lin-Manuel Miranda

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda have collaborated on a top secret project for the Queen 's Platinum Jubilee.

The impresario personally called Miranda asking him to collaborate on the “once in a lifetime project”, sources have revealed.

The musical extravaganza by two of the world's most in demand and popular composers will feature as the centrepiece of the Platinum Jubilee.

Officially no further details have been released, with cast and crew sworn to secrecy, but sources with knowledge of the plans said the production would be “a fitting tribute to the Queen’s historic 70 years on the throne”.

Lin-Manuel Miranda at the Met Gala earlier this week (Getty Images)
Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, central London (PA)

Speaking about the secret Lin Manuel-Miranda and Andrew Lloyd Webber project, our source added: “All the cast and crew working on the project have been absolutely sworn to secrecy.

“It’s a hugely intense and passionate project from both composers and will celebrate the incredible history from the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

“One of the main themes both composers wanted to get across and celebrate was the wonderful and rich diversity of Britain and the Commonwealth, of which the Queen is so fond of.

“The live performance will involve a diverse mix of rich talent from theatreland who are all delighted they can also pay their own special tribute to the Queen.”

It is hoped the Queen will attend the Royal Windsor Horse Show, or at least some of the festival from May 12-15, which centres on her love of horses involving more than 3500 breeds.

Michael Jibson as King George III in Hamilton (Handout)

Her Majesty, who recently turned 96, has however been suffering from ongoing mobility issues and will make a decision on the day, it is understood.

The main show at Windsor will also include special performances from Gregory Porter and Katherine Jenkins as they pay tribute to the Queen’s 70 years of service.

Celebrated composer Webber is the man behind several of the West End and Broadway’s best known and successful musicals.

Phantom of the Opera has raked in a total of £5billion after more than 30 years worth of shows in 166 cities worldwide.

The New York production alone generated nearly £1bn at the box office and still continues to be performed at some of the world's most recognised venues.

The Queen recently turned 96 (Getty Images)

Cats has also gone on to generate £1bn since it first debuted on London's West End in 1981.

It ran for 21 years and 8,949 performances, while the Broadway production ran for 18 years and 7,485 performances.

Lin-Manuel Miranda is a playwright, composer, lyricist, and actor known for his hip-hop–infused musicals In the Heights and Hamilton.

He is also known for his work with Disney, writing music for the movie Moana and portraying the character Jack in Mary Poppins Returns.

In August 2018, Prince Harry hit the headlines when after watching the West End performance of Hamilton with his wife Meghan Markle, 40, he joined the cast on stage and jokingly treated the audience to the start of a song sung by the George III character -- his sixth-great-grandfather.

Webber will be hoping the new production allows him to move on from the humiliation this week after closing his West End production of Cinderella after it built up colossal losses of £2million.

The 74-year-old director, worth £800million, faced a huge backlash when performances claimed they only found out they had lost their jobs just minutes after a matinee performance, with future cast members claiming they only found out via social media.

Webber previously collaborated with Take That frontman Gary Barlow to compose a special song ‘Sing’ for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

The music legend also worked with Tim Rice for a short musical called Cricket, commissioned for Queen Elizabeth's 60th birthday celebration.

It was first performed at Windsor Castle on 18 June 1986.

On 6th February this year Her Majesty The Queen became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service.

To celebrate this unprecedented anniversary, events and initiatives will take place throughout the year, culminating in a four day UK bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 June.

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