Andrew Lloyd Webber to Lead ITV-Commissioned Talent Competition

LONDON: ITV has commissioned the new series Superstar, in which Andrew Lloyd Webber will conduct a nationwide search for the actor/musician who will play the lead role in the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar.

The British public are invited to audition during February and March in London, Dublin, Belfast, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff. The aspiring stars will perform on stage in front of a casting panel to vie for a place in the final live shows. The casting team will narrow down the numbers for the live show. Lloyd Webber will be joined by a panel of judges to help him in his search, but the British public will ultimately be the ones who decide who will go on to win. The prize is the lead role in a new arena tour of Tim Rice and Lloyd Webber’s legendary rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar.

The show is an ITV Studios production for ITV1.

Lloyd Webber said: "Presenting a new, 2012 version of Jesus Christ Superstar for arenas is truly exciting. Some of the best performances of this show have been in rock venues and I’m thrilled to see the show return to its roots. ITV is providing the perfect platform for us to find a new, British Superstar."

He added, "It is the public who lead the casting process and they’ve got it absolutely right four times already. It’s been wonderful to see the careers of so many of the contestants blossom, so it will be especially fascinating to see who the public chooses as their Superstar!"

Elaine Bedell, ITV’s director of entertainment and comedy, commented: "We are asking ITV viewers to help us find a new superstar—in every sense of the word. We’re looking for the kind of performer who can fill arenas—and produce a rocking performance to match."

Kevin Lygo, the managing director of ITV Studios, said: "Live prime-time entertainment is at the heart of ITV Studios and we’re delighted to be working with Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber to bring this nationwide search to ITV1."