The Stage’s previous end-of-year list for 2005 saw Lloyd Webber knocked off the top spot by Ian who is President of Live Nation, Production, producers of current West End shows Guys and Dolls and The Producers. But after collaborating as co-producers on this year's revival of The Sound of Music, both Ian and Lloyd Webber now share first place.

The Sound of Music star Connie Fisher, who was cast in the musical’s lead role after winning the television show “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?,” also makes the list.

Both Ian and Lloyd Webber were judges on the television show. Next year the impresarios will be featured on rival TV shows with Lloyd Webber’s "Any Dream Will Do" searching for stars of a London revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat while Ian’s You're The One That I Want will look for leads for a Broadway revival of Grease.

Lloyd Webber has topped The Stage’s 100 list six times since 2001, totaling more top entries than anyone else. Producer Cameron Mackintosh, third on the latest list, has been top three times.

The list's top 20 also includes Old Vic artistic director Kevin Spacey, Donmar artistic director Michael Grandage and Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter.

Ian entered the list in 2002, two years after Clear Channel Entertainment, later known as Live Nation, became the UK's largest venue operator. This year marks the second time Ian has been placed first.