David Ian

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David Ian Lane (born Chadwell Heath, Greater London in 1961), is a former actor, who turned theatre producer in 1991 to become the most powerful man in UK theatre in 2005 according to The Stage [1]. The chairman of former Clear Channel's subsidiary Live Nation’s global theatrical division, he was one of the judges in the BBC TV series How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?. In the 1980s, David took part in the A Song For Europe contest twice, finishing in 2nd place on both occasions. In 1984, as part of the group First Division with the song Where The Action Is, and in 1986 as part of the group Jump, performing Don't Hang Up On Love.

The son of a Railway Fitter and a Personal Assistant, Ian trained as an actor and starred in a number of UK theatre productions, including as understudy to Cliff Richard. He is known professionally as David Ian as the name David Lane was already taken when he applied to actors union Equity[2].

In 1990 Ian met Paul Nicholas while they were both starring in a production of The Pirates of Penzance at the London Palladium. The pair created a partnership, Paul Nicholas & David Ian Associates Ltd, to co-produce and star in a touring production of The Pirates of Penzance[3]. The company has since produced shows, including:

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[edit] How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?

In 2006, Ian and Andrew Lloyd-Webber agreed to be co-producers on a production of the The Sound of Music. After approaching and being turned down by actress Scarlett Johansson to play the role of Maria von Trapp[4], Lloyd-Webber approached the BBC, and created the reality TV show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, hosted by Graham Norton.

On 20 August 2006, it was reported that Lloyd-Webber had taken legal action against Ian. Lloyd-Webber reportedly wanted to take the show's format to the United States to cast a Broadway theatre production of Grease. Lloyd-Webber discovered that Ian had already brought the idea to NBC, who announced they will look for unknowns to play Sandy Olsson and Danny Zuko, via reality TV show You're The One That We Want with Ian and the BBC, leaving Lord Lloyd-Webber furious. Ian said "I don't understand the problem. Andrew has no connection with the stage show Grease, which I have successfully produced in the UK. There is a new production of Grease on Broadway in the spring of 2007, that's why I've been asked to judge on You're The One That We Want."[5]

[edit] Personal life

David Ian met his actress wife Tracey in pantomime during Christmas 1990. The couple live in Essex with their two children, and have a 17th-century farmhouse in the Dordogne[6].

[edit] References

  1. ^ Smith, Alistair. "David Ian tops new Stage 100 list", The Stage, 2006-01-04. Retrieved on 2007-01-04. 
  2. ^ The Wright Stuff, Channel 5 TV, 4th June 2008
  3. ^ Paul Nicholas & David Ian. Retrieved on 2007-01-04.
  4. ^ "Johansson denies West End demands", BBC News, 2006-07-27. Retrieved on 2007-01-04. 
  5. ^ "David Ian: 'I don't understand Andrew's problem'", WENN via Yahoo! News, 2006-08-20. Retrieved on 2007-01-04. 
  6. ^ Mattin, David (2006-01-06). The Face: Himbo to hit-maker. The Times. Retrieved on 2007-01-04.

[edit] External links

v • d • e
BBC/Andrew Lloyd Webber musical revival search
Series
Musicals
Winners
Connie Fisher  • Lee Mead  • Jodie Prenger  • Gwion Jones  • Harry Stott  • Laurence Jeffcoate
Host and judges
Graham Norton (2006-)   • Andrew Lloyd Webber (2006-)  • John Barrowman (2006-)   • Zoe Tyler (2006-2007)  • David Ian (2006)  • Bill Kenwright (2007)   • Denise van Outen (2007-)   • Barry Humphries (2008)   • Cameron Mackintosh (2008)