Theatre impresarios Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Ian have been jointly named the most influential figures in British theatre this year.

The pair created the popular BBC show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? which found an unknown female lead for the role of Maria in the West End revival of The Sound Of Music.

The success of the TV show and the sell-out musical propelled them to the top of the annual list compiled by The Stage.

The show captured a TV audience of eight million, who voted for call-centre worker Connie Fisher to win the part. She is now starring as Maria at the Palladium Theatre.

Mr Ian, a former jobbing actor who is the global president of production for Live Nation, the biggest live entertainment portfolio in the world, is in first place for the second year running. He held top spot on his own last year.

Lord Lloyd-Webber, who was third last year, worked closely with Mr Ian on How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?

Cracks began to appear in the partnership when Lord Lloyd-Webber complained Mr Ian had been in talks with US channel NBC about a show to find a star for Grease on Broadway.