Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida set for West End premiere

Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida is set for its first professional production in London’s West End.

Based on the opera of the same name written by Antonio Ghislanzoni, Aida features music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice and a book by Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls, and David Henry Hwang.

Aida is an epic tale of love, loyalty and betrayal chronicling the love triangle between Aida, a Nubian princess stolen from her country, Amneris, an Egyptian princess, and Radames, the soldier they both love.

Originally produced by Disney, the musical premiered in Atlanta in 1998 before moving to Chicago and finally making it to Broadway in 2000.

To date however there has not been a professional London production.

That could soon change with work on a revival underway, directed by Schele Williams who starred in the original Broadway cast.

The new production had been due to begin performances in North America in 2021 but following the pandemic will now debut in Holland in 2023, with plans for a West End run shortly after.

Williams told the Broadway Podcast Network: “It’s never been on the West End, which is pretty exciting. Both Tim and Elton want it to be in their home so I’m really excited to bring it to England.

In a message on Twitter and via his podcast, Tim Rice previously confirmed: “Working on podcast number 8 which will feature Aida: musical with Sir Elton for which there are London plans via Europe in 18 months time if all is well. @heatherheadley”

Casting for the Holland production is currently taking place with details about the London run to be announced.