Striking a CHORD!

LORD ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER on finding out that music is in his family's DNA

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WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
THURSDAY, 9PM, BBC1 FACTUAL

Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber is our best-known theatrical impresario with a host of smash-hit musicals on his glittering CV including Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Starlight Express and Evita. Although his parents William and Jean were musical, Andrew has always been intrigued to discover whether music is a passion that extends even further back through the branches of his family tree. So he jumped at the chance to find out in the opening episode of the new series of BBC1’s genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are?

As he investigated his ancestry, the composer uncovered some incredible musical connections that echo his own life, and he was also amazed to learn that he was related to both aristocratic and working-class heroes.

Here, Andrew, 75, tells us more about his journey into his family’s past…

What did you want to find out?

I like taking on challenges, so there has to be some strong person somewhere around [in my ancestry]. But I suppose the thing I wanted most to discover is where my love of musical theatre came from.

Did your interest in theatre and music start at a young age?