The songwriter, who has reunited with Andrew Lloyd Webber for a Christmas mystery, said popularity of TV subtitles may have a welcome effect in theatres

Surtitles should be routinely used for stage musicals as audiences are often unable to fully appreciate the lyrics, the leading songwriter Sir Tim Rice has said.

“It’s very frustrating at times, especially if you’re the words man,” said Rice, 80, whose hits with composer Andrew Lloyd Webber include Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar. The pair have reunited to write songs for a comedy play, Sherlock Holmes and the Twelve Days of Christmas, to be staged at Birmingham Rep this winter.