Producing New Musicals Panel

Topic: Fringe / studio theatre stagings & financial viability

Panellists: Laura Elmes (‘Unfortunate’, Wildpark Entertainment), Joseph Houston (Hope Mill Theatre, ‘To Wong Foo‘), Jethro Compton (‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button‘) and Becca Rowson (‘Battersea Bardot‘).

We continue this popular series of panels of producers sharing their insights with this discussion of staging new musicals in small scale venues. In terms of overall productions of new musicals in the UK, the vast majority are initially staged in the context of Fringe Festivals like Edinburgh, Brighton or the Vaults. Yet anyone who has put together a budget for such a staging knows how challenging it is for the potential box office income to cover more than a fraction of the production.

This discussion will offer insights from producers actively producing new musical theatre in the UK. Rarely does the pathway to production of any new UK musical follow an already well trodden path. This conversation responds to the fact that producers often have to negotiate right of way, and put the paving stones down, as they try to shape a viable path for a new musical to reach its potential audiences.

The topic responds to requests from MTN members, and comments from producers about sticking points. We invite you to join us as an industry peer, and this panel will present the opportunity to ask questions and contribute to the discussion. You might be an experienced or early-career producer, curious about moving into producing, or wanting insights into how producers think as someone who works with them – these conversations are for you.

Most books, courses and workshops on theatre producing will include some considerations of producing musical theatre, these conversations differ in exploring the challenges and opportunities that are specific to producing new musical theatre in the UK, one of the fastest evolving areas of the performing arts.

Tickets are free to MTN members, £5 to non-members.

If you’ve never previously been an MTN member, we’re offering a 25% discount on your first year of membership, so you can have access to a year’s wider membership benefits, at a reduced price. All you have to do is use the discount code ‘NWM3MBR24’ when signing up HERE.

All panellists are subject to change. Musical Theatre Network is grateful to Arts Council England funding and to its members for making these events possible.