The Likes of Us was the first show written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. They met in April 1965 and within hours of meeting had started work on this show, based on the life of Doctor Thomas Barnado and the foundation of his childrens homes. At the time it was felt to be a little too similar to "Oliver!" to make it to a professional run and so was shelved. By the time it might have safely been released it had been overtaken by their second Musical piece "Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat" which was initially written as a piece for schools but took on a life of its own effectively sealing the fate of The Likes of Us.

In 2005 however two professional productions (one at Sydenham and one for the BBC) took place, both featuring Stephen Fry as the Narrator and the show received a second lease of life. Lord Lloyd Webber and Sir Tim released the rights for a limited period to amateur production of the show and that licence expires in December - so see it while you can!

The show is set in 1866, when the young Doctor Barnado is intent on cleaning up the East End of London which is a pit of depravity before becoming a missionary and departing for the east. However he discovers the plight of the street children and decides instead to take up their case and plead it to the authorities and in particular the jingoistic Prime Minister Lord Shaftesbury. He is helped by another evangelist Syrie, for whom he falls head over heels in love. The Likes of Us is an uplifting family musical.....forget the overhyped television fueled modern Lloyd Webber productions and come and see how it all began 45 years ago!