REVIEWS

It’s probably fair to say that writer, composer and singer Grant Sharkey doesn’t hold peer of the realm, impresario and creator of many of the 20th and 21st century’s most iconic musicals Andrew Lloyd Webber in the highest regard.

In Sharkey’s gleefully filthy two-hand musical – really more of a grotesque cabaret – Lloyd Webber is a Machiavellian manipulator (well, he would be if he had the intelligence) who strikes a Faustian pact with the devil him-/herself – in the form of one Margaret Thatcher, harridan spirit of greed and destruction – to achieve the fame and eye-watering fortunes that he craves.

Is it fair, accurate, or even called for? When Sharkey’s vitriolic fury finds an outlet in such a wild, exaggerated and shockingly funny creation, who cares? His songs are barbed and clever, and he delivers them with a fine voice and a sense of throwaway self-awareness that never takes itself too seriously, despite his satirical intents.

Laura Clare Reid is a commanding, strutting Thatcher, spitting insatiable avarice and unstoppable expletives.

Will you learn anything new about the ambitions and machinations of one of Britain’s towering cultural figures? Maybe one or two things. Will you leave somewhat dumfounded, rather appalled but thoroughly entertained? Almost certainly.

David Kettle

BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE
4/5 Stars

Grant Sharkey’s satirical musical Webber! is an absolute hoot. It’s an all-sung-through comedy rock cabaret with witty lyrics and a powerful score.

Sharkey is an engaging host, welcoming the audience and quite surprised at the large number of people who have turned out to see the show. There is something quite charming with his interactions with them, and there is loads of friendly audience participation, which was enthusiastically received.

It opens with him, resplendent in a red, ermine-lined cloak as Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, as he chronicles his life and meteoric growth to fame and fortune. Although he rather thinks he is “Filthy Rich and F***in’ Useless”.

Invoking the universal spirit of greed and ruining everything, Laura Clare Reid is the very embodiment of Margaret Thatcher, clutching her handbag to accept the money that Webber makes as he gets on the gravy train with his productions of Joseph, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita.

Webber as a youngster was apparently obsessed with trains with faces and cats with human faces.

Well, we all know where that is going to lead. Although we are also told that Alan Rawsthorne was the first person to put T S Elliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats to music.

There is hilarious use of puppets mocking Sarah Brightman and many of Webber’s other women actresses.

Welcome to Webber! by Grant Sharkey. This show contains some horrible things. Good luck!” 
 
Along with Sharkey’s introductory quip “you will enjoy it but you might not know why,” a truer and more tone-setting preshow announcement has never been made. A two-hand sung-through comedic musical about the life and crimes (depending on who you ask) of The Right Honourable The Lord Lloyd-Webber KG (aka Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber) written and composed by Sharkey, Webber! is a laugh riot that would be totally absurd if there weren’t so much truth to it.
 
For the edification of those who have been living under a rock for the last sixty years or so, ALW (for short) is the composer of many smash hit musicals, including The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Evita, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. 
 
A common thread of ALW’s musicals is that they are generally inspired by or/and ripped off from someone else’s source material, leading Sharkey, as Webber, to assert that he “was born without the ability to have original ideas,” instead turning to the brazen use of other people’s, as well as partnering with “middle class fuckboy and genius lyricist” Tim Rice to get his musicals off the ground. After all, “if you wanna be rich but your head is full of dicks, you’re gonna need big balls.”

Andrew Lloyd Webber – billed as a filthy rich and utterly useless old man in this hour long parody by Sharkey Grant. It is exactly as bad as it sounds… in the best way! 

If you are a particular fan of the Lord of Musical Theatre™️then this show might not be for you, as it isn’t particularly kind on Andy, but it is funny as hell. 

While I won’t be begging for a cast recording any time soon, 4 days later I’m still humming ‘FUCK THE MONEY OUT OF THE RAILWAYS’ and if that doesn’t tell you everything you need to know then I’m not sure what else to say.