Andrew Lloyd Webber Discusses Wine, Politics, & Keeping Arts in Schools Following First West End SCHOOL OF ROCK Preview

With 13 musicals, seven theaters, and a vast collection of art in his hands, it's safe to say that Andrew Lloyd Webber has a Midas touch. Following the first West End preview of his latest musical, SCHOOL OF ROCK, Lloyd Webber tells Evening Standard that getting the rights to the movie wasn't his idea, but his wife, Madeleine's.

"I'm not sure I did decide to buy the rights. My wife Madeleine saw it with the children 10 years ago and thought, 'This would make a great musical, why don't we get the rights to produce it?'" She went after it like a hound after a hare, he says. The people at Paramount "gave in because she was so persistent. I think they thought she'd produced LES MISERABLES because they congratulated her for it."

The proceeds for the first preview went to the Miles Frost Fund, a charity of the British Heart Foundation.

Lloyd Webber also spoke of his political position, one that he was been wrestling with during most recent voting matters, including keeping arts in the schools, "But the arts have never been more vital in schools. The arts are the one thing that appeal right across all forms of politics, race, creed - everything."

He reminds us that there are more important things in life right now. After undergoing surgery in 2009 for prostate cancer, multiple other procedures following the cancer led to depression. But after he felt better, he decided to make a complete change: giving up wine.

"I did drink every day because I loved my wine. Loved it. And then one day I thought 'No I can't do it any more'. I have a very strong will. I thought 'I'm just going to stop'."

What's next for this strong willed legend? It won't be getting a cell phone. He claims, "Mobiles "mean people know where you are. I'm wondering whether to have someone go around with my mobile to completely throw everybody off the scent. I could appear in weird places."

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