WORLD : Edward Wants Troupe of His Own

LONDON —  Prince Edward plans to quit serving tea to members of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group and set up a production company of his own with five members of the theater company.

The 26-year-old prince, the fourth and youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II, joined Lloyd Webber, whose hit musicals include “Cats,” “Starlight Express” and “Aspects of Love,” as a production assistant in 1988.

Production assistant is the most junior job in the theater. The prince’s backstage work included making tea for co-workers.

Edward said in a statement Tuesday that he is grateful to Lloyd Webber and the Really Useful Group for the chance to work in the theater.

The prince and his five colleagues refused to discuss their plans.

Although suggestions of a rift were denied by both sides, a spokesman for Lloyd Webber said the departure of the prince had taken the composer by surprise.

Edward’s future at Lloyd Webber’s company recently was said to be in the balance after Executive Director Biddy Hayward, who was responsible for hiring the prince, suddenly left last month.