‘Nutter academics’ of cancel culture would land me in trouble today, says Tim Rice

SIR TIM RICE has written for musical theatre for more than half a century and is one of only a few Egot winners – people to have an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award.

And yet even he would be wary of setting out to ply his trade today.

Cancel culture, he said, has led to “almost anything” landing one in trouble, with “nutter academics” stifling debate and creativity.

He said: “I wouldn’t want to be starting out today. I would worry, if I was starting out, that the story I was picking was going to offend people.

“But it shouldn’t. You should be able to write about anything you want… I would say to people, if you believe in what you’re writing, at least when you’re writing it, don’t worry about it.

“Some of the people complaining about things today, I’d be absolutely delighted to offend.”

Sir Tim’s collaborations with Lord Lloyd-Webber and Sir Elton John are among the most influential in musical theatre history. Hits have included Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita and The Lion King.

However, he recalled challenges that he and Lord Lloyd-Webber faced more than half a century ago when they originally wanted to stage only to be told “you can’t do religion in the West End”. They got the work heard by making an album that proved such a success that everyone wanted to stage the show.

Asked whether there are any subjects that he would not be able to stage today, Sir Tim said: “I would say almost anything, frankly, you’re in trouble. Ludicrous, of course.”

Referring to attacks on JK Rowling by transgender lobbyists, he said: “People aren’t allowed to … speak or give lectures before they’ve even said anything. That cannot be right. It’s censorship.”

He added: “I am writing stuff still – and I don’t really [care] what some nutter academic might think.

“At least, I might … if my piece then got [banned]. That would be annoying.”