Richard Stilgoe Headshot

Richard Stilgoe

Get Richard Stilgoe Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Richard Stilgoe BIO

Richard Stilgoe lives in Surrey (where he was born) and has five children and two grandchildren. He writes songs, runs the Orpheus Trust and is involved in music education – most recently the Stilgoe Family Concerts (Royal Festival Hall) and the National Foundation for Youth Music. He was brought up in Liverpool, and progressed through St Agnes Church Choir and the Cavern Club to the Cambridge Footlights. Singing his songs in pubs and clubs led to appearances on the Today programme in the 1960s, and thence to Nationwide and That’s Life, as well as several series of his own.

In the 1980s he was involved in the writing of Cats, Starlight Express and The Phantom of the Opera, which continue to play all over the world. Cats and Starlight Express were the longest and second-longest running shows in British theatre history. Schools perform his musicals Bodywork and Brilliant the Dinosaur and a new work, Exit Allan, was performed at the International Festival of Musicals at Cardiff in 2002. He has presented the Schools Proms since 1988, and passed his 200th appearance on Countdown.

In 1982, Richard and Peter Skellern appeared in the Royal Variety Performance. Standing star-struck in the wings watching Ethel Merman, they said, ‘We really ought to do something together’. Nothing happened until 1984, when the Lord’s Taverners brought them together for what has become an enduring part-time double act. They have toured the UK, Australia, Hong Kong, Gibraltar, Rome and Stockholm. The year 2000 saw the first of several farewell tours, and an appearance together at the Royal Variety Performance.

In 1998, Richard founded the Orpheus Centre, which provides opportunities for disabled people to take part in the performing arts. Its students now appear all over the country, including the Royal Opera House, the Notting Hill Carnival and the Glastonbury Festival.

He has two Tony nominations, three Monte Carlo Prizes, a Prix Italia, an Honorary Doctorate and an O.B.E. He was recently President of the Lord’s Taverners. His hobbies are architecture, demolition (he owns a Komatsu P.C.120 digger), cricket, sailing and his family, none of whom told him he was going to be the subject of This is Your Life in 2001.

Richard Stilgoe Productions

 
[Broadway, 1988] [Replacement]
Book and Additional Lyrics[Replacement]

Writing

Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter

Richard Stilgoe Awards and Nominations

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1988 - Best Musical

Richard Stilgoe, The Phantom of the Opera

Tony Awards - 1988 - Best Book of a Musical

Richard Stilgoe, The Phantom of the Opera

Tony Awards - 1988 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Richard Stilgoe, The Phantom of the Opera

Tony Awards - 1987 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Richard Stilgoe, Starlight Express


winner
Olivier Awards - 1986 - Musical of the Year

Richard Stilgoe, The Phantom Of The Opera


winner
Olivier Awards - 1981 - Musical of the Year

Richard Stilgoe, Cats

Richard Stilgoe Videos

Richard Stilgoe News


Full Cast Revealed For the London Return of STARLIGHT EXPRESS


Rehearsals are underway for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s STARLIGHT EXPRESS! The full cast has now been announced for the new production. Learn more about who is starring in the musical here!

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Extends Booking Until 29 March 2025


Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at His Majesty's Theatre has extended its booking until Saturday 29 March 2025. Find out how to get tickets here!

Joanna Lumley Joins RADIO LIVE at Chichester Festival Theatre in January 2024


They're back! Five years after two sell-out shows, “RADIO LIVE” returns to Chichester Festival Theatre on Saturday 20 January 2024 for another two irresistible performances.

Review: MAMIE PARRIS - SURRENDER : AN ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER THRILL RIDE Is All That and More at The Green Room 42


We are only just seeing the tip of the stardom that Mamie Parris is destined to achieve.

STARLIGHT EXPRESS Extends Season 24-Hours After Priority Pre-sale


Due to overwhelming demand, 24-hours after tickets went on priority pre-sale and before the box office opens for general on-sale, Andrew Lloyd Webber's STARLIGHT EXPRESS has extended bookings through to February 2025.

New Details Revealed for the Return of STARLIGHT EXPRESS in London


Ticket holders will be able to sit in 'Trackside Seats' around the “racing track”, or behind the performance space. The seats that surround the main performance area, in a section called the '1st Class Carriage' will also move during show.

Review: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA al TEATRO ARCIMBOLDI


THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA al TEATRO ARCIMBOLDI IL MUSICAL PIÙ LONGEVO DI TUTTI I TEMPI IN UNA NUOVA VERSIONE IN LINGUA ORIGINALE MA MOLTO ITALIANA

Photos: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Extends Booking in London; Plus All New Photos!


THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at His Majesty’s Theatre has announced that booking is now extended until Saturday 28 September 2024, having recently marked 37 spectacular years in London’s West End. Plus, check out all new photos here!

Andrew Lloyd Webber's STARLIGHT EXPRESS to Return to London in June 2024


Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express, which has been seen by over 20 million people across the world, will make its triumphant return to London.

New Cast Members Join West End's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA


New casting has been announced for Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at His Majesty's Theatre from Monday 31 July 2023. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is currently booking until Saturday 2 March 2024.

Masquerade…A Musical Theatre Concert Celebration Comes to The Actors' Church in Covent Garden This Month


'Masquerade... A Musical Theatre Celebration' comes to The Actors' Church in Covent Garden in the heart of London's glittering West End on Sunday 23rd July at 7.30pm.

Earl Carpenter, Bradley Jaden and More Join THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA in Italy


As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera will open for the first time in Italy at Teatro Stabile del Friuli Venezia Giulia in Trieste on 4th July 2023. Additional casting has now been announced, including Earl Carpenter as Monsieur Andre and Bradley Jaden as Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny.

Photos: Jon Robyns, Holly-Anne Hull, and More in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at His Majesty's Theatre


All new photos have been released from THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at His Majesty’s Theatre. The musical currently stars Jon Robyns as The Phantom alongside Holly-Anne Hull as Christine Daaé, Matt Blaker as Raoul, and more.

Ben Crawford Out Of Final Broadway Performance of PHANTOM; Laird Mackintosh Will Play The Title Role


Current Phantom of the Opera star Ben Crawford will be out of the show for the final Broadway performance. Longtime Phantom Laid Mackintosh will step into the role this evening.

Photo: First Look at the PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Final Company Portrait


The longest-running Broadway show of all time, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will play its final New York performance at The Majestic Theatre today, Sunday, April 16 at 5PM, after a record-breaking 35 years and 13,981 performances to 20 million people. Check out a portrait of the final cast, crew, orchestra, and staff here!

Video: Former Christines Share the Stage at PHANTOM Charity Performance


Watch a special, surprise curtain call presentation with leading lady Emilie Kouatchou, joined onstage by three iconic, former Broadway Christines: Sierra Boggess (25th Anniversary), Ali Ewoldt (30th Anniversary) and the original “Angel of Music” herself: original London and New York star Sarah Brightman.

Video: Ben Crawford, Emilie Kouatchou, and John Riddle Sing 'Think of Me' From THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA


The Phantom of the Opera has released an all new music video featuring the show's closing cast. Celebrating 35 years on Broadway, watch as the production’s lead cast members Ben Crawford (The Phantom), Emilie Kouatchou (Christine), and John Riddle (Raoul) sing Think of Me.

Video: Watch Hal Prince Talk THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA in 1988 CBS SUNDAY MORNING Segment


CBS Sunday Morning has shared an interview segment 1988 featuring Hal Prince discussing the opening of The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. The segment, which features footage of the original Broadway cast in rehearsals and performing, spotlights how Prince brought the musical to Broadway. Watch the video now!

Lottery Tickets for THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA's Final Performance Now Available


Special lottery for tickets to the invitation-only, final Broadway performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA on Sunday, April 16 at 5PM are now available!

Richard Stilgoe FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Richard Stilgoe written?

Richard Stilgoe has written 4 shows including Cats (Lyricist), Starlight Express (Lyricist), Body Work (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), The Phantom of the Opera (Lyricist).

What awards has Richard Stilgoe been nominated for?

Richard Stilgoe has been nominated for several prestigious awards throughout his career. These nominations include Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "The Phantom of the Opera," Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "The Phantom of the Opera," Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for both "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Starlight Express," Musical of the Year at the Olivier Awards for "The Phantom Of The Opera," and Musical of the Year at the Olivier Awards for "Cats."

What awards has Richard Stilgoe won?

Richard Stilgoe has won the Olivier Award for Musical of the Year for "The Phantom Of The Opera" and "Cats."

Get Richard Stilgoe Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos