Tim Rice has written lyrics for eight songs set to Tchaikovsky’s music for a new film The Nutcracker: The Untold Story, which is expected to have a Christmas release. He says of the composer: “He’s great to work with because he never rings me up and complains.” The latest UK touring production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the musical he wrote with Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1968, reaches Sheffield on November 24. Sir Tim Rice is 65 today. RGT

Birthdays today

David Flood, organist and master of the choristers, Canterbury Cathedral, 54; Michael Hinton, Sheriff, City of London, 1977-78, 75; the Right Rev Lawrence Luscombe, Bishop of Brechin, 1975-90, and Primus of the Episcopal Church in Scotland, 1985-90, 85; Professor Elizabeth Robson, geneticist, 81; Viscount Runciman of Doxford, president, British Academy, 2001-05, 75; Ann Spokes Symonds, patron, Age Concern England, 84; Lady Toulson, chairman, Music for Life Foundation, 61.