Advocating for new musical theatre in the UK is central to Musical Theatre Network’s mission, shaping every initiative and event we’re involved in.
We’ve successfully made the case for increased funding support for new musical theatre to Arts Council England, the PRS Foundation and the Cameron Mackintosh Foundation – our three regular funders, and in partnership with our members we make the case in daily conversations with industry peers and stakeholders for improving the resources and infrastructure for development and staging of new musicals in the UK.
One key area of advocacy for MTN has been to make the case that it’s important to make a distinction about supporting new writing of musical theatre which originates in the UK, as there is far more developed infrastructure in the USA for new musicals, and without additional support it was historically challenging for UK-originating musicals to compete with imported American musicals. But until recently little distinction was made in the UK theatre industry between a musical developed in the UK and one already existing overseas that was receiving its UK premiere. And even more important is advocacy to recognise the particular development needs of new musicals and the creatives committed to writing and developing them.
MTN believes in a UK-wide development ecology for new writing, which supports new musicals and new plays equally, recognising that the infrastructure needed for this is best delivered collaboratively, through partnerships and collaborations across the UK performing arts sector, including higher education as well as the professional theatre industry.
Member Spotlights
National Theatre
The National Theatre provides support and opportunities for around 2,500 creative freelancers every year. Their New Work department has been… Read more
National Theatre
The National Theatre provides support and opportunities for around 2,500 creative freelancers every year. Their New Work department has been the starting point for over 160 productions over the last 5 years. Over 100 projects are on their development slate at any one time, including various musicals.
China Plate
China Plate is an independent theatre producing studio based in Birmingham and working across the UK. Their past work has… Read more
China Plate
China Plate is an independent theatre producing studio based in Birmingham and working across the UK. Their past work has included mid-scale musical 'Gin Craze!' by April De Angelis and Lucy Rivers, and Birmingham Festival Commission 'To The Streets!' - a civil rights musical by Roy Williams and Tim Sutton.