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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Chris Wiegand Stage editor

Stage musicals should embrace use of surtitles, says lyricist Tim Rice

‘Time and time again, the lyrics couldn’t be heard when it was choral’ … Tim Rice.
‘Time and time again, the lyrics couldn’t be heard when it was choral’ … Tim Rice. Photograph: Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty Images

Surtitles should be routinely used for stage musicals as audiences are often unable to fully appreciate the lyrics, the leading songwriter Sir Tim Rice has said.

“It’s very frustrating at times, especially if you’re the words man,” said Rice, 80, whose hits with composer Andrew Lloyd Webber include Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar. The pair have reunited to write songs for a comedy play, Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas, to be staged at Birmingham Rep this winter.

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