Andrew Lloyd Webber on his biggest money risk: 'I'd have lost my house' #broadway #personalfinance

Key Concepts:

• Financial Risk in Theatre Production
• "Cats" Musical Production
• Producer's Guarantee and Personal Financial Stake
• Challenges in Theatre: Perceived Inability to Dance, Unproven Talent, Past Failures

The "Cats" Production: A High-Stakes Venture

The speaker recounts the production of the musical "Cats" in London as their biggest financial risk. The prevailing sentiment was that the show would not be a success. This was due to several factors:

• Unestablished Talent: The speaker was collaborating with Cameron Macintosh, who was not yet a recognized producer at the time.
• Unconventional Source Material: The musical was based on poems by T.S. Eliot, a deceased American poet, which was an unusual choice for a musical.
• Perceived Cultural Barriers: The speaker aimed to involve the British public, who were stereotypically considered unable to dance, in a dance-heavy show.
• Inexperienced Director for Musicals: The director was Trevor Nunn, from the Royal Shakespeare Company, who had no prior experience with musicals.
• Limited Established Expertise: While choreographer Gillian Lynne was well-known, other key figures lacked musical theatre experience.
• Previous Theatre Failure: The chosen theatre had previously failed with a production starring Richard Gere, leading to widespread skepticism.

Personal Financial Guarantee

The speaker had to personally guarantee the show's success. This involved taking out a second mortgage on their house. The consequence of the show being a "disaster" would have been the loss of their home. This highlights the immense personal financial risk undertaken by the producer.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The "Cats" production in London exemplifies a high-risk, high-reward scenario in theatre. The producer faced significant skepticism due to the unconventional nature of the project, the unproven track records of key collaborators, and the history of the venue. The personal financial guarantee, including a second mortgage, underscores the extreme personal stakes involved in bringing such a venture to fruition. The narrative emphasizes the courage and conviction required to pursue projects against prevailing doubts, with the potential for severe personal financial repercussions.