Ovation Rights has acquired lyricist and librettist Richard Stilgoe鈥檚 contractual interests in several hit stage musicals, including Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera and Starlight Express.
Founded and led by producer Jamie Hendry and former Amazon executive Philip Green, Ovation Rights works closely with authors, composers, lyricists, and estates, acting as custodians to protect legacies, honor artistic visions, and champion works.
Stilgoe says in a statement, 鈥淭ogether with the trustees of my foundation, I have been working closely with Jamie to ensure the custodianship of my work on The Phantom of the Opera, Starlight Express, and Cats rests with someone who truly understands and respects the theatre. In Jamie and the team at Ovation Rights, I have found a partner I can trust wholeheartedly to protect and champion the work I am immensely proud of.
"Jamie鈥檚 deep roots in our industry, coupled with Ovation Rights鈥� vision for the rights of authors, composers, and lyricists, make this partnership a perfect fit," Stilgoe continues. "Ovation Right and The Really Useful Group share my unwavering commitment to preserving and championing the work Andrew and I, together with our many collaborators, created all those years ago, and which I hope audiences will continue to enjoy for many more years to come."
Hendry adds, 鈥淩ichard鈥檚 extraordinary contributions have not just shaped British musical theatre, they鈥檝e transformed the global stage. I鈥檓 honored to be entrusted as the custodian of his remarkable legacy and to have helped him unlock the future value of his contributions in these iconic works to support his ongoing charitable work."
Founded in 2023, Ovation Rights owns and champions a growing catalogue of plays and musicals.
Stilgoe is a three-time Tony nominee for Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score for The Phantom of the Opera and Best Original Score for Starlight Express. For the former, he penned the book and additional lyrics; for the latter, he wrote the lyrics.
