BEAM 2016 Programme - Park Theatre, London

Mercury Musical Developments & Musical Theatre Network present

in association with Park Theatre, London

8 – 9 March 2016 Shining a light on new British musical theatre

mercurymusicals.com musicaltheatrenetwork.com

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PROUDLY SUPPORTING BEAM 2016

Getting bums on seats through marketing, social media, promotions and advertising in London and on Tour www.booments.com 2940 Beam Showcase Programme.indd 2

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We want to collaborate with you on a future which sees many of these innovative works fully staged around the UK - bringing new audiences to your venues and companies. Plus, we want to raise awareness that excellent and innovative new British musical theatre has a key part to play in Britain’s reputation as a world capital of theatre. Box office data suggests over half of all theatre tickets purchased in this country are for musicals. Surely we owe it to audiences to be developing the new work which will satisfy that appetite in future years?

We’re very grateful to Arts Council England for its increased investment in the development infrastructure for new British musical theatre in recent years. BEAM would have been impossible without the core National Portfolio funding received by Mercury Musical Developments and Musical Theatre Network. Furthermore, most of the writers, producers and projects presenting within BEAM have been either directly or indirectly supported by the Arts Council. Investment in new musical theatre writing generates further confidence in the world class value of British talent in this artform, and encourages further artists to focus their inspiration towards the great British musicals of the future. We believe the future of original British musicals is brighter than it’s ever been, and hope you’ll want to join us on the journey of introducing wider audiences to the joys of new writing in this form

Victoria Saxton Executive Director, Mercury Musical Developments victoria@mercurymusicals.co.uk

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Welcome / Beam 2016

BEAM has been developed with a focus on introducing you to a range of new musicals efficiently. Instead of showcasing a smaller number of longer excerpts, we decided to share the work of over 40 writers via 10 and 25 minute presentations and pitches. We’ve been told many times that potential co-producers want access to brilliant future projects at an early stage of development. Aside from the Producer Platforms, all the work at BEAM was selected from 12 pitching days across the UK, which saw local writers pitch to the artistic teams of key producing venues. It would take months of reading scripts and listening to demos to get through the same material. Likewise, having the writers there in the room meant literary managers, producers and artistic directors could engage in useful conversations then and there about the work. We hope you’ll use the contact details listed throughout this programme to ensure BEAM’s introductions are just the beginnings of further conversations. BEAM is going to be a biennial event, so do let us know if you’d be interested in hosting a pitching day for BEAM:2018.

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We believe BEAM:2016 represents an unprecedented overview of the British musical theatre new writing landscape. A selection of around 40 musicals is only part of the picture, and BEAM follows in the path of many industry showcases, revues and festivals of British musical theatre. However, we doubt that there has ever been this quantity, this breadth of musical styles, or this range of innovative new works gathered together before. We hope this reflects the considerable growth in confidence and quality of new writing in British musical theatre over recent years. There are plenty of exciting new discoveries here, with strong potential to reach new audiences.

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Welcome

James Hadley Executive Director, Musical Theatre Network james@musicaltheatrenetwork.com

‘Arts Council England has significantly increased its funding of British musical theatre in recent years, both through investing in National Portfolio Organisations including Musical Theatre Network and Mercury Musical Developments, and through Grants for the Arts funding for development workshops and musical theatre productions. It has been encouraging to see continuing growth in quantity, diversity and quality of new writing for musical theatre emerging around the country, and I hope that BEAM 2016 will lead to further partnerships and co-productions to enable more of the public to engage with original British musicals.’

Neil Darlison Director, Theatre, Arts Council England

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BEAM presentation strands • SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASES Beam 2016 / BEAM Presentation Strands 4

50 minute presentations that include two 20-25 minute presentations / excerpts from new British musicals in development.

All these sessions are repeated over the two days.

• LIGHTS-UP PITCHING PLATFORMS Each of these 50 minute sessions includes five 10-minute introductions. Some are pitches of new shows at various stages of development; others are showcases featuring current work by writers.

All these sessions are repeated over the two days.

• FOLLOW-SPOT PRODUCER PLATFORMS 4 sessions over the two days where non venue-based producers, developing a portfolio of new musicals, are presenting material.

Each of these sessions lasts 50 minutes and includes two or more presentations / excerpts.

Please note that these sessions are not repeated.

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BEAM schedule

Tuesday 8th P200 9.30-10am

P90

Wednesday 9th Morris Space

P200

Registration & coffee

P90

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10-10.50am

Welcome & Directing Musicals panel with Mark Shenton

Available for networking / breakout meetings

Available for networking / breakout meetings

Lights-Up pitching platform 1

11-11.50am

Spotlight showcase 1

Follow-Spot producers platform 1

Lights-Up pitching platform 1

Follow-Spot producers platform 3

Available for networking / breakout meetings

Lights-Up pitching platform 2

Spotlight showcase 1

Lights-Up pitching platform 3

Follow-Spot producers platform 4

12-1pm

Lunch & networking

1-1.50pm

Spotlight showcase 2

Lights-Up pitching platform 2

2-2.50pm

Follow-Spot producers platform 2

Lights-Up pitching platform 3

3-3.30pm

Coffee & networking

Available for networking / breakout meetings Lights-Up pitching platform 5

Available for networking / breakout meetings

Coffee & networking

Spotlight showcase 3

4.30-5.20pm

Lights-Up pitching platform 5

5.30pm onward

Drinks and networking at The World’s End, 21 Stroud Green Rd N43EF

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Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Masterclass Two Developmental Workshops, Howard Goodall & Jeremy Sams Lunch & networking

3.30-4.20pm

Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Masterclass One Interpreting New Work, Claude-Michel Schönberg

Morris Space

Coffee & networking

Lights-Up pitching platform 4

Lights-Up pitching platform 4

Spotlight showcase 2

Available for networking / breakout meetings

Sector discussion : what happens next?

Spotlight showcase 3

Available for networking / breakout meetings

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Grateful thanks to all our sponsors and supporters: Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation

Williams Charitable Trust

Lights-Up Supporters Curve Leicester Onur Orkut, Freelance Director, Lecturer LIPA Keith & Margaret Stanley Music & Lyrics Ltd Josef Weinberger Ltd BEAM Buddies Philip Bartle Fiona Brookwell Rex Bunnett Casarotto Ramsay & Assocs Katherine Doré Griff & Jo Rhys Jones Pat Moylan Jon Plowman Jan Ravens Royal Central School of Speech & Drama Producer Executive Director, Nuffield Theatre The Stable Chair, Musical Theatre Network Interim Chair, Mercury Musical Developments BEAM advisory group BEAM advisory group BEAM advisory group

All Board Members of Mercury Musical Developments and Musical Theatre Network

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Thanks / Beam 2016

Thanks to Jez Bond Artistic Director, Park Theatre John-Jackson Almond Executive Director, Park Theatre Amy Lumsden Executive Assistant, Park Theatre Tom Bailey Cafe Bar General Manager, Park Theatre Michael Howell Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Mary McCluskey Artistic Director/CEO, Scottish Youth Theatre Jemima Levick Artistic Director, Dundee Repertory Theatre Kerry Michael Artistic Director, Theatre Royal Stratford East Fadi Tavoukdjian Musical Theatre New Writing Manager, Theatre Royal Stratford East Nikolai Foster Artistic Director, Curve Leicester Matthew Runham Producer, Curve Leicester Dani Sullivan Wales Millennium Centre David Luff Theatre Producer, Soho Theatre Diane Morgan Executive Producer, nitroBEAT Gilly Roche Associate Producer, West Yorkshire Playhouse Mark Rosenblatt Associate Director, West Yorkshire Playhouse Kate Golledge Director Adam Lenson Director Lottie Wakeham Director Mark Shenton Panel Facilitator Ray Mansell Masterclass Video Andrew Brinded Masterclass Live Streaming Howard Goodall Composer Jeremy Sams Director & Musical Director Claude-Michel Schönberg Composer

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Special thanks to Zoe Simpson Caroline Routh Neil Marcus Jodi Myers Francis Matthews Niraj Chag Teresa Howard George Stiles

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Arts Council England

All the writers, actors, musicians, directors and producers involved in BEAM:2016 and the regional pitching days.

Production Acknowledgements Victoria Saxton James Hadley Sharon Calcutt Michael Woods George Lumkin Sarah Crook Martin Jackson Shai Mohamad Travis Nesbitt Melanie Wiliford Liz Yeates Catherine Harmer Niall Smillie at Fourtwentyseven Neal Smith at Temple Printing

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Producer / Executive Director Mercury Musical Developments Producer / Executive Director Musical Theatre Network Production Coordinator Sound Operator P200 Sound Operator P90 Assistant Producer / Membership Manager, MTN & MMD Assistant Producer / Administration Manager, MMD Production Assistant Production Assistant Production Assistant Stage Manager Stage Manager Programme Design Programme Production

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SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 1

The List

By Tamar Broadbent / Directed by Kate Golledge Rosie, Liz, Mel and Skye are in their final year of University, and studying is the last thing on their minds. The girls live for nights out, boys, and in fear of their formidable landlady Brenda. To help Rosie mend a broken heart, Liz comes up with a list which is sure to liven things up. A brand new musical comedy about friendship, Facebook shame and finding your way in the single world, from Stiles and Drewe Award Winner and Funny Women Awards Finalist Tamar Broadbent.

Stage of development: Reading Ideal cast size: 5 Ideal band size: Piano, guitar, bass Style of piece: Musical Comedy

Beam 2016 / Spotlight Showcase

Tamar Broadbent is an award-winning composer, writer and comedian, who studied at Bristol University and CSSD. She has written two musicals, Pierced and The List, and has toured her solo musical comedy shows to the Edinburgh Festival and internationally. In 2014, Tamar won the Stiles & Drewe Best New Song Award, and was featured on BBC Radio 4’s Fresh From the Fringe, a showcase of their handpicked best new comedy acts from Edinburgh.

She has since led devised musical theatre projects at LAMDA, taught composition for Mousetrap Theatre Projects and worked at Mountview in association with Perfect Pitch to develop a new musical.

‘Talented, bright and funny. I predict a great future’ Michael Palin We are seeking: Venue & resources for a workshop in 2016 and venue partners for a tour in 2017 Contact: www.mynameistamar.com / Tamar.broadbent@gmail.com / 07540 705066

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Wasted

Music by Chris Ash / Book & Lyrics by Carl Miller / Directed by Adam Lenson musicaltheatrenetwork.com

The meteoric crash and burn true-life story of the greatest literary family ever to come out of Yorkshire: the Brontës.

A bunch of kids from the sticks leap from obscurity and poverty to unexpected celebrity. But grandiose dreams and selfdestructive passions drive them apart at their moment of triumph. A thrillingly contemporary story of obsessive struggles against addiction, mental illness and social conventions. Experience the thrilling power of the Brontës as shocking, visionary creators of the most scandalous work of their age, rather than the sanitised versions invented after their tragically premature deaths.

A nineteenth century sex and drugs story – now with rock and roll!

Stage of development: Workshop at West Yorkshire Playhouse Autumn 2016 Ideal cast size: 5 Ideal band size: 4 Style of piece: live rockumentary

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Chris Ash is assistant musical director to The Showstoppers who recently improvised 80 musicals at Nimax’s Apollo Theatre in the West End, receiving 5-star reviews from The Telegraph, and The Mail on Sunday. He has composed scores for two family musicals (The Borrowers/mac, Three Witch3s/Belgrade Theatre), adapted and reorchestrated music from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (The Night Queen/Belgrade Theatre), musically directed and devised actor-musician arrangements for Tess of the D’Urbervilles (New Wimbledon Studio), created sound designs for many plays (Not a Game for Boys/King’s Head, Kissing Sid James/59e59 New York, Terror Season/Southwark Playhouse, etc.)

Carl Miller’s play Ostrich Boys (from Keith Gray’s book) is at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry in September. He is under commission to the National Theatre and developing a new play I Am with Bobby Tiwana and Sheffield Theatres. Other music theatre includes Yarico (music James McConnel) and White Suit (music Helen Chadwick). Other recent plays include Emil and the Detectives (from Erich Kästner’s book, National Theatre), The Three Musketeers and Red Fortress (Unicorn).

Chris and Carl are members of MMD’s Lab, run by Christine Denniston, and met in Book, Music & Lyrics’ first Composer / Lyricist group in 2012. The H Word, written with Carol Russell, is also showcased at BEAM. Co-produced by Bobby Tiwana & West Yorkshire Playhouse We are seeking: Co-producing partners and venues for full production and tour in 2017.

Contact: wastedthemusical.tumblr.com / wastedthemusical@fonthill.demon.co.uk / 07740 554409

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SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 2

The Leftovers

Book, Music & Lyrics by Nic Harvey / MD & Music by Rob Green / Directed by Siobhán Cannon-Brownlie

Stage of development: 1st Draft Ideal cast size: 5 (actor/musicians) Style of piece: Contemporary Musical Nic Harvey: After 20 years of training and professional work, both on and off stage, at Nottingham’s Television Workshop, Nic now heads up the BAFTA award-winning institution. With the company he has developed, written and directed a number of acclaimed original plays and musicals with the most promising young actors in the region. As artistic director of Sheep Soup Productions, Nic created hit Edinburgh Fringe musical Mrs Green, which has since enjoyed development opportunities and sell-out crowds at Nottingham Playhouse and Curve, Leicester. Sheep Soup’s aim is to tell stories in which music happens naturally.

We are seeking: Sheep Soup Productions is seeking commissioning partners or venues to support the full development of The Leftovers Contact: www.sheepsoup.co.uk / sheepsoupnotts@gmail.com / 07872 028602

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Rob Green: Rob Green first worked with Sheep Soup in early 2015; musically directing their comedy musical Mrs Green. Returning in November to musically direct and song-write for their latest project The Leftovers. A recording artist by trade, Rob has songwritten for and with artists across international record labels such as Decca and Universal. His love for storytelling through music and writing for other ‘characters’ is what sparked his interest in developing and directing music for theatre. The Leftovers merges Rob’s accumulated musical genres and styles with Sheep Soup’s signature naturalistic, character driven, musical theatre.

musicaltheatrenetwork.com

Following the sudden death of Jodie (occasional gig reviewer and the definition of misadventure), her closest friends join forces in a Nottingham recording studio. The makeshift band attempts to bring musical life to a horde of scribbles, poems, lyrics, philosophies and apologies she left behind. They soon discover it’s a Pandora’s box full of muddled meanings and unfinished business. Jodie has left a trail of cracked relationships in her wake; a few red-hot saxophone riffs and a loop pedal aren’t going to fix that. A comic and stirring contemporary musical on the pitfalls of artistic interpretation.

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Book, Music & Lyrics by Dougal Irvine / Produced by Zoë Simpson / Directed by Rebecca Atkinson-Lord A punk-rock telling of the story of the suffragette movement set in an allegorical forest a lá Animal Farm. The show starts in a classroom at a failing school. These chicks don’t see the point in voting at all. Apathy reigns until an inspiring teacher tells them about a family of posh birds who fought for every hen to be heard. This brand new show for young performers will premiere across the UK in 2018 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of women getting the vote in the UK. Stage of development: showcase Ideal cast size: 15-25 Ideal band size: 4 Style of piece: punk rock musical Dougal Irvine is a multi-award winning composer, lyricist and writer.

As Bookwriter/Lyricist/Composer: The Buskers Opera (Park Theatre), Angry Birds (The Space), The Other School (St James Theatre), In Touch (Bridewell Theatre), Departure Lounge (Waterloo East, Public Theatre – NY). As Lyricist: Laila (Rifco Arts/Watford Palace/Tour) Britain’s Got Bhangra (Rifco Arts/Stratford East/Watford Palace/Tour).

As Composer: The Witches (Curve) Teddy (Southwark Playhouse) The Snow Queen (Royal and Derngate) The Bacchae and Blood Wedding (Royal & Derngate – during the Cameron Mackintosh/Mercury Musicals Resident Composer scheme), The Merchant of Venice, Merry Wives of Windsor and The Comedy of Errors (Changeling Theatre), Captured by the Dark (StopGap Theatre).

Spotlight Showcase / Beam 2016

Angry Birds

We are seeking: Venues to be part of a major project centred around the show for 2018. The aim is to premiere the show at multiple UK regional theatres simultaneously in spring 2018, with youth casts performing the show and being involved in a wide programme of activity exploring what political engagement means for young girls and boys today. All the young people will then join together for a one-off concert performance of the show at a major London venue.

Contact: www.homersimpsonproductions.com / zemsimpson@gmail.com / 07949 164837

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SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 3

The Missing Music & Lyrics by Ella Grace / Directed by Jonnie Riordan / Mentored by Zoe Simpson A contemporary reimagining of Peter Pan set among a subculture of homeless youths living on the streets of Dundee. Led by a charismatic but ultimately deeply manipulative boy, Peter, they exist in a world of lawless misadventure. But when a new girl enters the community the dynamics begin to change. Her talk of getting off the streets and finding a home awakens something in them, something they thought had died long ago… hope. Combining physical theatre and contemporary dance with a rock/pop score, The Missing brings Peter Pan back to Scotland where JM Barrie himself grew up as a boy.

M an Bu w W

Stage of development: Initial stage of development – no book writer attached Ideal cast size: 10 Ideal band size: 5 Style of piece: Rock/pop musical

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T B O

Ella Grace: Ella trained at London School of Musical Theatre before fronting rock band Hitchcock Blonde. She wrote music & lyrics for Trouble, which was presented at the New York Musical Theatre Festival 2012. In 2014, she was a finalist of the Perfect Pitch Awards and has been commissioned by Perfect Pitch/The New Wolsey Theatre to write a new musical. In 2015, Ella wrote music & lyrics for King Athelstan, performed at the Rose Theatre and was a finalist in the RCS’s A Song for Shakespeare competition.

Ella has been selected for MTN and China Plate’s inaugural Musical Theatre Darkroom this year.

We are seeking: Venues & resources to help develop the show from workshops through to full production.

Contact: www.ellagracemusic.com / ellagracemusic@gmail.com / 07811 257551

SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 3

Oliva Tweest: An Afrobeats Musical

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Created & Produced by Yinka Ayinde / Book by Nana Duncan / Music & additional lyrics by Jason Charles Nelson / Directed by Bronagh Lagan

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This is the first ever afrobeats musical which tells a love story of British-Africans living in South-London. The musical is representative of the modern slang, music and dance from this community which is emulated throughout today’s popular culture in the UK. It is based on the 2012 hit single called ‘Oliver Twist’ by Nigerian pop star ‘D’banj’, about a young club promoter called Tobi who just wants more (of everything!). The story follows him as he attempts to save his beloved night club from being shut down, but is distracted by the beautiful new singer in town, Trisha.

Busk

Stage of development: Two public showings and a further workshop. Currently being developed for touring in its 8th draft.

Ideal cast size: 12 Ideal band size: 5 Style of piece: Comedic, family, juke box (Afrobeats) musical, also with original songs too.

Yinka Ayinde: Yinka has worked in entertainment for the past 6 years as a radio presenter, live show host, producer and director.

In 2012 Yinka created Oliva Tweest: An Afrobeats Musical to bring the theatre to a (non-theatre-going) young audience. He then went on to produce the musical as a sell-out concert show in the West End (2013), a short run at Hackney Empire (2014) and an industry showcase at St James’ Theatre (2015). Yinka has also worked as an assistant producer for PW Productions and Nick of Time Productions and was the Artistic director of A.C.T.S (2014). He won a Stage One Bursary for new producers in 2015 and is currently developing the musical for touring.

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Nana Duncan: Nana is a young writer based in Hackney, London. She began writing at the age of twelve when she grew bored that summer and found that she had a creative imagination. Since then she has written a few short stories, short plays and poetry. Her credits include: Into the Life of a Teenager (2009), Every Girl (2010) and A One Woman Monologue (2011), all showcased at the National Theatre Studio, and Cell Mates (2012) in Soho Theatre In 2012. Oliva Tweest is her first musical and since writing the first draft in 2012, like the musical itself, she has rapidly developed as a librettist over the years.

Jason Charles-Nelson: Jason is an accomplished music producer, composer and musical director, who has produced and co-written material for artists such as X Factor winner Alexandra Burke and MOBO Award winner Rachel Kerr. A music graduate from London, he already boasts a wealth of experience and skills that he brought to Oliva Tweest as his first stab at musical theatre. Since joining the team in 2014 he has gone on to work on Memphis the musical (musician) and for Perfect Pitch 2016 as a musical director. He brings a new artistic perspective to musical theatre which is appealing to new and young audiences.

We are seeking: Partners to produce a workshop at Barbican Arts Centre in July 2016 and Venue partners for a tour in winter 2016/2017 Contact: www.hatchafrica.com / yinkaayinde@live.com / 07966 146549

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The future’s ripe for those who mix Their artistry with politics...

Michael Peavoy, Neil Marcus and Paul Tyrer & Jamie Clark for Buskers Opera Ltd in association with Park Theatre present the World Premiere of

The Buskers Opera

28 Apr

I 4 Jun 2016

A NEW MUSICAL by Dougal Irvine Directed by Lotte Wakeham Musical Direction by Sean Green Musical Staging and Choreography by Lucie Pankhurst

Tickets: ParkTheatre.co.uk Phone: 020 7870 6876 Finsbury Park

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LIGHTS-UP PLATFORM 1

Halfways

Music by Tim Connor / Book & Lyrics by Susannah Pearse

Stage of development: 1st draft Ideal cast size: 12 Ideal band size: 6 Style of piece: Classical-influenced musical drama Tim Connor Training: Bridewell Theatre, AMOS, MMD Lab. Credits include: Heart of Winter (dramaturgy and story by Lia Buddle) at the Leicester Square Theatre and The Stationmaster (book by Susannah Pearse), at the Tristan Bates Theatre.

His ballad, The Little Match Girl, was sung by Olivier Award winner Janie Dee on BBC Radio’s Loose Ends. Recordings: Heart of Winter was recently recorded by Sondheim prize-winner Corrine Priest to much critical praise.

Contact: @timpanitweets

We are seeking: We would love workshop support in 2016 or 2017, with a view to producing the piece in 2017 or 2018.

Contact: soundcloud.com/timpani / Timconnor17@hotmail.com / 07970 059876 / www.susannahpearse.co.uk / Susannah.pearse@gmail.com / 07792 504777

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Susannah Pearse is a graduate of New York University’s Musical Theatre Writing Program and a member of Mercury Musical Developments. Theatre work includes The Stationmaster with Tim Connor, The 45th Marvellous Chatterley Village Fete with Rebecca Applin (Perfect Pitch), Jabberwocky, also with Applin (YMT), Rapunzel with Youn Young Park (Singapore Repertory Theatre) and The Emperor’s Quest, also with Park (awarded an MTM award for its work developing musical theatre for young people.) Susannah also composes the music for the comedy songs on John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme on BBC Radio 4. Website: www.susannahpearse.co.uk

musicaltheatrenetwork.com

Halfways is a dark chamber musical which tells the story of a group of people on a boat who don’t know why or how they came to be there. As the voyage progresses, the passengers slowly realise they are dead, and they fight the mysterious steward - and each other - for their place in heaven or hell.

Adapted from the 1923 Broadway and West End sensation by Sutton Vane, Halfways asks the question “why does it matter what any of us do?”

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Composer, Lyricist, MD, Orchestrator & Arranger

Current projects: 1. A song cycle called Six Degrees of Introspection (working title), that takes a look at some of the assumptions we make about people based on the things they say, and within that touches upon notions of identity.

Ideal cast size: 6 Ideal band size: 6 Style of piece: Traditional style song cycle with a maximum of 8 songs and on-stage band.

2. A longer family show (untitled) about a group of children who use their synaesthesia as superpower.

Ideal cast size: 9 Ideal band size: 5 (with additional possibilities to include actor-musicians) Style of piece: Contemporary style musical for a family audience.

I am also looking for further commissions that will enable me to compose and write lyrics for both straight plays and new music theatre. Additionally I have vast experience developing work for actor musicians, or with a devised or site-specific element, or which is classed as theatre for children.

Lights Up Platfrom / Beam 2016

Zara Nunn Composer Showcase

Stage of development: Both pieces are in the early stages of research/first draft, although the song cycle is a little further on. With reference to this I am currently waiting on the outcome of some funding applications* that will cover the costs of R&D, writing and a workshop of this first draft. (*At the time of writing I have an application being processed by the PRS Women in Music fund and I am also preparing an individual Grants for the Arts application).

I am seeking: New commissions as well as prospective venue and resources for workshops later in 2016.

Contact: www.zaranunn.com / zara@zaranunn.com / 07941 253066

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LIGHTS-UP PLATFORM 1

The Bureau of Lost Things Music by Matt Winkworth / Book & Lyrics by Chris Bush 1915. In an unnamed town somewhere along the border of Russia and Austria-Hungary lies the Bureau of Lost Things - a strange, other-worldly repository housing a deadly secret. Forces from across Europe seek out the Bureau, each representing figures from their nation’s folklore. British officers appear as Arthurian knights, Baba Yaga a Russian resistance fighter, Sergeant Piper a recruiting officer from Hamelin. Here the mundane and the fantastical collide – the madness of war seen through a prism of fairy-tale and fable.

A quirky, theatrical piece about why we must remember our battles, and how we should speak of them afterwards.

Beam 2016 / Lights-Up Platfrom

Stage of development: One-act version complete, now extending to a full-length show Ideal cast size: 12 actor/musicians Ideal band size: 12 actor/musicians Style of piece: Quirky period chamber musical Chris Bush: Playwright, lyricist and theatre-maker. Shows includes A Declaration From The People (National Theatre); The Sheffield Mysteries, (Sheffield Theatres); Larksong (New Vic, Stoke-on-Trent); Cards On The Table (Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester); Tony! The Blair Musical (York Theatre Royal/Tour); Sleight & Hand (Summerhall, Edinburgh/Odeon Cinemas/BBC Arts); Poking The Bear (Theatre503); The Bureau Of Lost Things (Theatre503/Rose Bruford); ODD (Perfect Pitch/Royal & Derngate Northampton: concert) and Wolf (National Theatre Studio reading). Chris has won the National Young Playwrights’ Festival, a Brit Writers’ Award, the Perfect Pitch Award, a Kevin Spacey Foundation Artists of Choice Award and the Sunday Times Edinburgh Competition.

Matt Winkworth: Composer, arranger and music director. Original scores include ODD (Perfect Pitch), The Bureau Of Lost Things (Theatre503/Rose Bruford), Death And Chocolate (LOST Theatre), Before The Tempest (OFS Arts/Crisis), Attempts On Her Life, Under Milk Wood, The Odyssey (Oxford Playhouse) and many youth and amateur productions. He was the winner of the 2014 Perfect Pitch Award and 2015 Kevin Spacey Foundation Artist of Choice.

We are seeking: A producing theatre/company interested in taking this piece towards a full-scale production.

Contact: cdbush.york@gmail.com / 07878 136216 / info@mattwinkworth.co.uk / 07816 355232

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Music & Lyrics is delighted to support BEAM 2016

Contact: John Stalker, Producer john@johnstalker.co.uk ChittyBeam BeamShowcase 148.5x210.indd 1 2940 Programme.indd 12

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LIGHTS-UP PLATFORM 1

Hysteria, The Musical Book & Lyrics by Caroline Horton / Music by Tim Sutton

Stage of development: 1st Draft Ideal cast size: 4 Ideal band size: 3 (female actor musicians) Style of piece: Adult punk rock contemporary musical theatre

Caroline Horton is a Birmingham based writer/performer. She was nominated for a 2013 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement for You’re Not Like The Other Girls Chrissy, which won The 2010 Stage Awards Best Solo Performer. Her show Mess has toured internationally since opening at The Traverse in 2012, where it won Best Ensemble at The Stage Awards. Her controversial show Islands, opened at The Bush in 2015 before being programmed into the Edinburgh British Council Showcase. Caroline created Penelope RETOLD (Derby Theatre) and Tranklements (New Vic). She’s written/performed two plays for BBC Radio 4: Paris, Nana & Me (shortlisted 2014 Imison Award) and recently, Still Here. She’s an associate at Birmingham Rep. Caroline was part of the recent Royal Court Writers’ Group.

We are seeking: Interest from a venue and resources to develop this piece into a full-scale work.

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Tim Sutton is a composer, lyricist and musical director. His most recent work is the music for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom at the National Theatre. He was the Musical Director for Memphis (Shaftesbury Theatre) and The Amen Corner (NT). He is currently working on Victory, a musical about Caribbean soldiers in WWI with playwright Juliet Gilkes-Romero, Brecht’s Threepenny Bits with playwright Fiona Evans, and The Devil’s Advocate with librettist Ian Sharp. His podcast, Voice of the Musical, contains interviews with the foremost musical theatre writers of our time. Tim is also an Associate of the Inner Magic Circle.

musicaltheatrenetwork.com

Inspired by the book The Technology of Orgasm by Rachel P. Maines, Hysteria takes a scabrously funny and subversive look at the development of the vibrator from a medical instrument wielded by the male establishment to relieve the symptoms of nebulous “women’s complaints”, to an instrument of female sexual empowerment (?). We join a nineteenth century doctor and his assistant as they hone the technology, with differing expectations and unexpected outcomes… Accompanied by a three-piece female punk rock band which lends a contemporary voice, Hysteria is a cool, definitely hysterical, unmissable musical which will have them coming in their thousands…

Contact: www.timsutton.net / www.carolinehorton.net

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By Sarah-Louise Young & Michael Roulston

Inspired by the true story of French actress Paula Maxa, this dark musical thriller explores society’s obsession with murder, fear and eroticism. Set in the notorious Grand Guignol Theatre in the 1900s, a small troupe of writers & actors create scenes that terrify and titillate their voyeuristic clientele. Harmless fun? Perhaps. Ambitious Maxa finds success and fame in this infamous theatre of horror, raising its status to one of Paris’ top tourist attractions. When a brutal attack occurs backstage, she starts to question her safety and nightly flirtations with death. Claustrophobia grips her world. Is the enemy within or without?

Stage of piece: Thriller, Melodrama, Black Comedy Sarah-Louise Young and Michael Roulston have been writing partners for ten years, working mainly in character-based cabaret.

Their award-winning shows have been performed internationally.

Collaborations include: Julie Madly Deeply (Trafalgar Studios, international tour); Cabaret Whore (Soho Theatre, Adelaide Cabaret Festival); Songs For Cynics and Two Faced (commissioned by the London Festival Of Cabaret, St James Studio, Crazy Coqs); Fascinating Aida (Cheap Flights Tour, CD & DVD); The Terror Season (Southwark Playhouse, Soho Theatre); Lynn Ruth Miller: Not Dead Yet (Edinburgh, Crazy Coqs); Art W*Nk (Edinburgh, UK Tour); Clementine Living Fashion Doll (Norwich Puppet Theatre); Black Cat Cabaret (Wonderground, Southbank).

Beam 2016 / Lights-Up Platfrom

Maxa, The Most Assassinated Woman in The World

We are seeking: Workshop space, investment, producers, relationship with venue, creative partners, magic consultants, special effects, scratch performance opportunities Contact: www.roulstonandyoung.co.uk / www.sarah-louiseyoung.com / sarah@sarah-louise-young.com / 07970 042014 www.michaelroulston.co.uk / mr.michaelroulston@gmail.com / 07930 397551

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The Boundary Riders (The Musical Tales of NZ Pioneer Women) Book, Music & Lyrics by Rachel Dawick

From prostitutes to missionary wives, gold miners to magicians, fraudsters to washer women, six beguiling tales of conquests, survival, and persistence. The Boundary Riders (for they straddle two worlds) are the tales of six women who left the UK in the 1800s to start a new life on the other side of the world, leaving all they had known far behind. Six stories unearthed from hidden cupboards by one songwriter travelling for three years across NZ armed with a ukulele, a cycle, a tent...and a desire to seek out the stories from our past.

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Stage of development: As it stands, this is a show within a show. A narrator takes us on a journey into history and each character emerges as a moment in time. It is along the lines of Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales with each character telling their own tale, whilst the narrator guides us through the different scenes. The whole piece is currently recorded as a concept album and is ready for performance in its current form - close to a vaudeville piece. Or it could be developed into a more traditional musical piece with greater weight for each scene and interaction between characters.

Ideal cast size: 8 (who double as chorus) Ideal band size: 5 Style of piece: Historical, Vaudevillesque musical Rachel Dawick: Finalist for best NZ Folk Album 2015 New Zealand born songwriter Rachel Dawick’s latest album The Boundary Riders was released in NZ in September 2014 to critical acclaim. Dawick has released four previous albums and performed twice at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2009 and 2015 as well as touring extensively in NZ over the last five years. With a background in English literature/theatre and music, her latest album sees a move into the world of musical theatre. 2016 sees Dawick developing her skills in this medium and the launch of her latest album in the UK. I am seeking: Ideally, either support for further development of the script, or if done as it is with additional entertainment, I would be seeking a cast/band and venue partners for touring in 2017. Please note, this can also be done as a one woman show (I have done a wee bit of this in NZ and works well solo or with one other band member, but it would be ideal as a full cast), and if so, could operate with one main cast member and two band members, with one acting as the narrator, plus crew for lighting and stage design/sound.

Contact: www.racheldawick.com / info@racheldawick.com / www.theboundaryriders.com / rdawick@me.com

musicaltheatrenetwork.com

LIGHTS-UP PLATFORM 2

Abolition

Music & Lyrics by Darren Clark / Book by Linda Walton William Wilberforce, the British politician, campaigns to pass a law to abolish the slave trade; Sarah, an African girl on board slave ship The Zong, battles for her life at the hands of a tyrannical captain. Inspired by true-life stories, this two-hero piece explores the fight for justice against seemingly impossible odds. Will the goal they both yearn for overwhelm and consume them or will they succeed and emerge with their humanity intact?

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Stage of development: A detailed (scene by scene) outline and two songs written Ideal cast size: 9 (Option for larger school/ amateur groups) Ideal band size: 5 Style of piece: Historical musical drama Linda Walton’s first musical, Butterfly Hero, was commissioned by St Paul’s C of E Primary School in Hammersmith and performed at the Lyric Hammersmith with a cast of 25 pupils between the ages of 7 and 11. Her second commission from Youth Music Theatre was The Salsa Sisters (Barbican, Plymouth) a story about six sisters in pre-revolutionary Cuba, with a cast of 35 teenagers between the ages of 11 and 19. Her 10 minute musicals, Skin Deep and About Time, have been produced by E15 Drama School.

She has been a member of the BML Programme of new musical theatre writing since 2010.

Darren Clark is an award winning composer and lyricist. His work has been performed in the West End, Edinburgh Fringe and at leading UK theatres. He was runner up in the prestigious Stiles & Drewe Best New Song 2015 and was the panel award winner of the Iris Theatre Best New Song Award 2014. Darren was a finalist in the Cameron Mackintosh Composer in Residence 2015 and was shortlisted for the Perfect Pitch Award 2015 and the Old Vic 12. Recent work includes commissions from the Nuffield Theatre and the Lyric Hammersmith. Darren wrote the music and lyrics for These Trees Are Made of Blood at Southwark Playhouse in 2015. Other work includes music for Our Friends the Enemy (UK Tour, Off Broadway), The Ministry of Stories (CBBC) and songs for The Scarecrows Wedding (UK Tour, Leicester Square Theatre).

We are seeking: A producer and venue for a reading/workshop in 2016 and ultimately a commercial production.

Contact: www.solidrainbow.com / linda@solidrainbow.com / 07767 786226 www.darrenclarkmusic.co.uk / darrenjamesclark@googlemail.com / 07515 375528

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The Guinea Pig Club

Music by Craig Adams / Book & Lyrics by Andrew Doyle

Stage of development: 1st draft Ideal cast size: 6 Ideal band size: 0 (the cast are actor-musicians) Style of piece: Actormusician piece Craig Adams: New Work: Therese Raquin, Finborough Theatre/Park Theatre, London; Soul Music, Rose Theatre, Kingston; Lift, Soho Theatre, London/NY – WhatsOnStage nomination for Best Original Score 2014. (Lift is now being licensed all over the world, productions include: Mexico/Korea and California.) Pinocchio & The Hundred and One Dalmatians, Castle Theatre, Wellingborough; Defect, Arts Educational, 2015 – still in development; Pack and Hindle Wakes, Finborough Theatre. He is currently working on Sinking Water for Theatre Royal Stratford East as Perfect Pitch/TRSE Award winner 2016; Othello, Stafford Gatehouse and Shadow-thief (A piece of dance theatre for children).

We are seeking: Venues, producing houses, producers and developing partners.

Contact: www.craigadamsmusic.com / craigjadams@me.com / 07968 314488 / www.andrewdoyle.co.uk / andrewricharddoyle@hotmail.com / 07979 745452

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Andrew Doyle: Musical theatre: Soul Music (Rose Theatre, Kingston), The Adventures of Pinocchio (Castle Theatre, Wellingborough), The Hundred and One Dalmatians (Castle Theatre, Wellingborough), Gulliver’s Travels (Lyric Theatre, Belfast), The House of Lady Babylon (Bad Physics Theatre), The World Must Be Peopled (Soho Theatre / Nabokov).

Plays include: Borderland (National tour for 7:84 Scotland), The Second Mr Bailey (BBC Radio 4), Jimmy Murphy Makes Amends (BBC Radio 4), Cockfight (Canal Café Theatre), People of the City (Soho Theatre STARTS commission).

Andrew is currently writing a biography of the novelist Forrest Reid with support from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Twitter: @andrewdoyle_com

musicaltheatrenetwork.com

A musical for six actor-musicians with a haunting piano/guitar score, The Guinea Pig Club tells the heartbreaking story of the RAF men who were severely burned in WW2 and had their lives restored by pioneering plastic surgeon Archibald McIndoe. The story centres on Thomas, now elderly, who is waiting in a pub to meet his old co-pilot. Sights and sounds in the pub trigger memories, and we see Thomas’s wartime story unfold. These visual echoes slip backwards and forwards in time, and the audience is invited to piece together the truth that Thomas has hidden from himself for all these years.

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Music by Jim Barne / Book & Lyrics by Kit Buchan / Directed by Alasdair Buchan A period piece with a contemporary echo, Newfrock tells the story of a mysterious, crooked town on the distant coast of the West Country in 1812, and the awkward patchwork of its secretive community. Into this salty backwater come our dubious heroes, Murdo and Eleanor Moxy, intent on deceiving the townsfolk, only to find the village is more alert, more mischievous and more cosmopolitan than they could possibly have bargained for. Told in a series of seductive and misleading diegetic folk-songs, our show is a moody, comical tall-tale that above all celebrates diversity, and the strengths concealed within it.

Stage of development: 1st draft Ideal cast size: 12 Ideal band size: 4 (actor-musicians) Style of piece: Diegetic folk musical Jim Barne is a professional musician and a published composer for film and theatre. He is a graduate of Music at Kings College and the Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program in Seattle. He has won the London Chamber Orchestra’s young composer’s prize, and recently written additional music for a feature film, Capsule. He was born in the West Country, where he still lives.

Kit Buchan is an English graduate and a staff reporter on the Observer newspaper. His poetry has been published in Clinic, The White Review, Five Dials and The Best British Poetry 2015, and he was commended in the most recent Poetry London competition. He was born in London but has recently lived in Bristol and Paris.

Lights-Up Platfrom / Beam 2016

Newfrock

Jim and Kit have been writing together for almost ten years, and are both members of the PRS and the BML new musicals workshop. Their first short musical Midtown Christmas Eve, written for the St James’ Theatre’s Re:Act programme last year, has led to a commission for Christmas 2016. Newfrock is their first full-length piece.

We are seeking: Venue-partners and resources for workshop or production in 2016-17.

Contact: jamiebarne@gmail.com / Jim: 07939 532 670 / ccwbuchan@gmail.com / Kit: 07753 396 770

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Acting (Musical Theatre), BA > intensive training in acting, singing & dancing with the emphasis on acting > training in musical theatre skills, classical & contemporary theatre, screen & recorded media > outstanding industry links with a high percentage of graduate employment > graduates can currently be seen in West End musicals, Broadway plays & Hollywood movies ‘This is musical theatre training with an edge. There isn’t a course like this out there at any other drama school.’ Kadiff Kirwan Information: www.cssd.ac.uk/beam

CSSDLondon

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Up North

By Jonny Wright (aka XYM) / Produced by Suzanne Gorman

| mercurymusicals.com

Up North is a fresh, funny journey through friendship, the North/South divide, and black identity against the backdrop of the Capital’s challenging music industry. It tells the story of a group of friends in a struggling rap group in Yorkshire who quit their day jobs and move to London to give music one last try. When a record label offers some of them a chance in a lifetime, their friendship is truly tested. The play explores Black British male identity in its portrayal of the hip hop music industry ‘warts and all’, opening up potent ideas about identity and representation.

Stage of development: Rehearsal ready Ideal cast size: 5 Ideal band size: 2 DJs Style of piece: Hip-hop musical. Drama / comedy Jonny Wright: • Commissions from Talawa Theatre, Immediate Theatre, the BBC, Film 4 and Channel 4 • Runner up, Soho Theatre’s Westminster Prize • Winner, Brian Glover Award for his short film, Soldier Boy • Hat Trick have optioned his sitcom Wing Man • Winner, BBC All Mixed Up sitcom writing competition • Recently shot his directorial debut, Huey & Louis • Writing for the Amazing World of Gumball on Cartoon Network .

• Starred in his own short play, Swallow The Leader at the Bush Theatre • Also hip-hop artist XYM We are seeking: Venue partners and co-producers for a tour in 2017. Particularly looking to develop new audiences and deliver extensive outreach and participation activity.

Contact: www.mayaproductions.co.uk / Tessa Gordziejko tessa@tessagordz.co.uk / 07973 506058

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Sky News The Musical

Music, Lyrics and Libretto by Tony Greenlaw / Verbatim sections of libretto by SKY News

Using actual verbatim text from Sky News broadcasts, this show (part concept musical, part revue) sets these stories to music - a hysterical but poignant reminder that the stories within each human life are infinitely more interesting than the negativity we create collectively.

Stage of development: 2nd Draft – ready for workshopping (selections have been showcased at The Pheasantry, Phoenix Artists Club, and 54 Below) Ideal cast size: 5 (or up to 15) Ideal band size: 5 Style of piece: Revue / concept musical

We are seeking: We have permission from Sky News to mount this musical - ideally at a regional (or off-West End) theatre; however, Sky may contribute financially if they can SEE something tangible. We are therefore seeking to workshop the show and present a staged reading in mid- to late 2016 for Sky News (and any other backers). For this we would need – an interested theatre, a producer, a director, a venue for the staged reading (plus rehearsal space, etc) and financial support to help with associated costs.

Contact: www.tonygreenlaw.com / tony greenlaw@gmail.com

/ 07831 914056

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Tony Greenlaw: Training: University of Michigan. Tony’s unique brand of new musical theatre is influenced by the transatlantic nature of his life and career (though American, he now lives and works in the UK) and offers flavours of his songwriting idols such as Ben Folds, Joe Iconis, Elton John and anyone who wrote a TV theme tune in the 70s or 80s. Tony’s stand-alone material has been published by New Musical Songbook/Aria Entertainments in the UK. His songs have been featured at The Phonenix Artists Club, The Pheasantry, The Crazy Coqs, and Feinstein’s/54 Below in Manhattan.

musicaltheatrenetwork.com

8:57am at SKY NEWS. Everyone is getting ready for the 9am broadcast. As the newsreaders compare headlines one thing is clear – they thrive on bad news. But what if – just for one hour – there was nothing bad to report? They’d be left with the ‘human interest’ stories normally reserved for the end of each hour.

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Conceived, Written & Performed by Liz Carr / Directed by Mark Whitelaw / Composition by Ian Hill Consultant Dramaturg: David James / Consultant Lyricist: Adey Grummet Assisted Suicide: The Musical is a theatrical extravaganza, provoking audiences by subverting notions of choice, dignity, compassion and quality of life through music, comedy, spectacle and shared humanity.

Whilst a majority believe it’s a humane choice to legalise assisted suicide, Liz, and many other disabled people, disagree. With a lack of creative work exploring the complexity and opposition to this topical taboo, Liz and her collaborators will devise the best way to tell this important story.

Assisted suicide is being done to death. The time is perfect for a joyously irreverent, amusing and creative look at being assisted to die.

Stage of development: commissioned by Unlimited, supported by Arts Council England. The piece will premiere at the Southbank Centre, as part of the Unlimited Festival, this September. The piece will enter full rehearsals this May/June Ideal cast size: 5-7 Ideal band size: TBC Style of piece: Comedy, provocative

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Assisted Suicide

Liz Carr is a disabled activist and artist with a darkly comic take on life and a love of pushing the creative envelope. She currently plays forensic examiner Clarissa Mullery in the BBC drama Silent Witness. Liz is a regular with the comedy line-up Abnormally Funny People and for seven years, she co-hosted the irreverently funny BBC Ouch! podcast with Mat Fraser. She is a disability rights campaigner and, as a member of Not Dead Yet, she speaks out against assisted suicide. In 2012 she researched and presented the documentary ‘When Assisted Death is Legal’ for the BBC World Service.

We are seeking: Venue partners for further touring in 2016/2017 Contact: www.incompanycollectiver.com / tracy@incompanycollective.com / 07834 512209

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Shelby Hewett vs The World

By Theo Jamieson

My aim is to create a high-octane musical theatre language that feels contemporary; that draws on influences from pop music, modern classical music, hip-hop, dance, jazz and musical theatre. I’m interested in large-form musical structures and in demanding virtuosic performances from the actors and musicians who perform it. It should feel intense, loud and like it was born in 2016.

I’m currently working on several projects. In this presentation we will perform the opening music from my musical Shelby Hewett vs The World.

Beam 2016 / Lights-Up Platfrom

Stage of development: 1st draft Ideal cast size: 10 Ideal band size: 6 Style of piece: Contemporary musical theatre Theo Jamieson is a musical director, composer and pianist. His compositions for musical theatre have been performed at King’s Place, the Shaw Theatre and Blackheath Concert Halls. His classical compositions have been performed by the St Paul’s Sinfonia and members of the English National Ballet Orchestra.

He graduated from the Royal Academy of Music. musical direction for theatre includes: High Society (Old Vic); Here Lies Love, Treasure Island (National); Putting It Together (St James) and Funny Girl (Sonia Friedman Productions, Savoy Theatre). He has provided arrangements and orchestrations for Maria Friedman and Adam Guettel in concert.

I am seeking: Venue and resources for developing work, collaborators – directors, bookwriters & commission opportunities Contact: www.soundcloud.com/theo-jamieson / theojamieson@googlemail.com / 07731 787683

ASR Beam 2016 (HiRes).pdf ASR Beam 2016 (HiRes).pdf

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est.1973 est.1973 www.autograph.co.uk www.autograph.co.uk

Showcase Today Today : : Global GlobalHit HitTomorrow Tomorrow Showcase

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Plots

Written & Directed by Finn Anderson / Associate Director: Tania Azevedo

Working with 5 actor-musicians and an associate director, I will undertake a period of research and development in 2016 with a view to a full touring production in Spring 2017.

Stage of development: Idea. Will begin as a devised process, leading to 1st draft, workshop and work-in-progress sharing Ideal cast size: 5 Ideal band size: 0 Style of piece: Actor-musician musical

We are seeking: venue partners for a tour in 2017.

Contact: www.finnanderson.co.uk / mail@finnanderson.co.uk / 07730 795046

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Finn Anderson is a Glasgow based writer, director and composer.

Recent musical theatre work includes writing and directing Alba (Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2014), creating the concept and songs for Streets (Interval Productions – Hackney Empire, The Vaults, The Cockpit), and writing Wolf (Tristan Bates). His work has been nominated for a number of awards including OffWestEnd.com and BroadwayWorld.com awards for Best New Musical. Composing work includes recent productions at the Citizens Theatre, Traverse Theatre, Bush Theatre, Park Theatre, Vault Festival and collaborations with Scottish Dance Theatre. Finn is currently laying plans to launch a touring company dedicated to new musical theatre.

musicaltheatrenetwork.com

Set in an urban allotment garden, Plots will be a new musical that tells the story of one small group of gardeners who put their differences aside and unite in a battle to save their allotments from being built upon. The threat of eviction becomes a catalyst for these disparate individuals to come together and share stories about what their patches of land mean to them and their community.

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“One of musical theatre’s most dynamic writing partnerships” The Stage Jake Brunger (book and lyrics) and Pippa Cleary (music and lyrics) are a London based musical theatre partnership. They met at Bristol University in 2008, where they were studying Drama and Music respectively.

Their musicals include: Jet Set Go! (Edinburgh Fringe, Theatre 503 and Jermyn Street Theatre, published by Josef Weinberger Ltd), The Great British Soap Opera (Edinburgh Fringe and Jermyn Street Theatre), Red Riding Hood (Singapore Repertory Theatre, published

by R&H Theatricals), the stage musical adaptation of Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ (Leicester Curve, nominated for the 2015 UK Theatre Award for Best Show for Children and Young People), Prodigy (National Youth Music Theatre / St James Theatre), Treasure Island (Singapore Repertory Theatre) and Red Riding Hood (UK Premiere at the Pleasance Theatre, produced by Paul Taylor Mills).

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Pippa Cleary & Jake Brunger Writing Team Showcase

Additional credits include music and lyrics for The Snow Gorilla (Rose Theatre, Kingston), a song for the musical revue A Song Cycle for Soho (Soho Theatre) and the opening number for 2014’s West End Bares (Café de Paris). In 2013 Pippa won the Arts Foundation Fellowship for Musical Theatre Composition.

Contact: www.brungerandcleary.co.uk / jakebrunger@hotmail.com / @jakeandpippa

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Super Ordinary

Book & Lyrics by Jenny Lee / Music by Thomas Hewitt Jones / Illustrations by Leo Bennett / Projection by Leo Warner, 59 Productions 1940 - WW2. Milton’s the worst pilot in the RAF. In his head, he’s a superhero. He’s got sketchbooks crammed with pictures of him flexing his biceps and a face that people love to punch. When the chance to finally become a real-life hero arises, he seizes it - by telling a villainous lie. Super Ordinary is a poignant, heart-achingly funny musical; it salutes those brave enough to risk looking like villains in order to act heroically, and forgives the rest of us. As Milton discovers - sometimes accepting that you are uncourageous is the most heroic act of all.

Stage of development: 1st draft completed after a development workshop at Soho Theatre (2014) supported by Arts Council England Ideal cast size: 3 Ideal band size: 3 Style of piece: Illustrated musical drama

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Jenny Lee is an award winning writer. Her play Heartbeats & Algorithms (2015) received rave reviews from the Financial Times, Scotsman and Guardian. Other recent work includes Neon Nights, a recipient of the IdeasTap Inspires/BBC Writersroom Award, an opera commissioned for the Gottingen International Handel Festival and a short film commissioned by Four23 for London Design Week. “A writer who knows how to push all the right buttons .” Lyn Gardner, The Guardian Thomas Hewitt Jones is a former BBC Young Composer of the year. He has composed music for the 2012 Olympics and his most recent musical, Rumpelstiltskin, sold out its two runs at the Egg in Bath and the MAC in Belfast. Thomas’s vocal and instrumental music is highly acclaimed and he has written three ballets performed at Sadler’s Wells. His work has been performed at the Royal Albert Hall and British Museum and is often heard on Classic FM and BBC Radio 3.

Leo Bennett is a freelance illustrator and artist living and working in South London. He graduated from Camberwell College of Arts with a BA(Hons) in Drawing and exhibits regularly at his studio. He works in a mixture of media, including drawing, painting and digital print and takes his inspiration from the human figure, nature, mythology and pop and comic culture. His work has been commissioned by musicians, magazines and, most recently, his first illustrated story, “The Scarecrow”.

Leo Warner is a founding director of 59 Productions, one of the world’s leading companies specialising in video and projection design for the stage. Leo and the 59 team have taken leading creative roles at venues including The Royal Opera House, National Theatre, Royal Court, Young Vic, English National Opera, Metropolitan Opera (New York) and theatre festivals in Salzburg, Berlin and Avignon. He designed David Bowie Is at the V&A and the video design and content for the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony.

We are seeking: To finish the show we want to find a venue for Super Ordinary and to create the show specifically for that space.

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Contact: superordinarythemusical.com / superordinarythemusical@gmail.com / 07803 058078

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The H Word

Book & Direction by Carol Russell / Music by Christopher James Ash / Lyrics by Carl Miller

Stage of development: n/a Ideal cast size: 20 Ideal band size: 6 Style of piece: Diverse, contemporary, devised musical drama that moves, entertains and inspires.

Carol Russell has worked as an actress, deviser and director (BAC, Tricycle, Stratford East, English Shakespeare Company) and writer for theatre and television for over 30 years. Screenplays include: House of Usher, Crucial Productions for the BBC’s Windrush series, Still Here; A Suitable Candidate for Red Productions, Channel 4. She was a principal scriptwriter for two series of Comin’ Atcha, starring pop group, Cleopatra, (ITV) and one of the BAFTA nominated writing team on The Story of Tracy Beaker (CBBC). Her new series is being developed by ITV Studios. She founded Fresh Voices in 2011 - an initiative putting BAME writing talent in front of top players in the UK TV industry.

Carl Miller is a member of MMD’s Lab. His play Ostrich Boys (from Keith Gray’s book) is at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry in September.

He is under commission to the National Theatre, and developing a new play I Am with Bobby Tiwana and Sheffield Theatres. Wasted, written with Chris Ash, is also showcased at BEAM, with workshop performances at West Yorkshire Playhouse this Autumn. Other music theatre includes Yarico (music James McConnel) and White Suit (music Helen Chadwick). Other recent plays include Emil and the Detectives (from Erich Kästner’s book, National Theatre), The Three Musketeers and Red Fortress (Unicorn).

We are seeking: a venue to partner with and for sponsorship to support our second ACE bid in order to workshop for a further four-six weeks in 2016 and get the piece to showcase stage.

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Chris Ash is assistant musical director to The Showstoppers who recently improvised 80 musicals at Nimax’s Apollo Theatre in the West End, receiving 5-star reviews from The Telegraph, and The Mail on Sunday. He has composed scores for two family musicals (The Borrowers/Midlands Arts Centre, Three Witch3s/Belgrade Theatre), adapted and reorchestrated music from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (The Night Queen/Belgrade Theatre), musically directed and devised actor-musician arrangements for Tess of the D’Urbervilles (New Wimbledon Studio), created sound designs for many plays (Not a Game for Boys/King’s Head, Kissing Sid James/59e59, Terror Season/Southwark Playhouse, etc.).

musicaltheatrenetwork.com

Brainchild of producer Julie Clare (Showstopper, In The Heights), as far as we know, this is the world’s first fully devised musical – book, music and lyrics. It is set in the world of homelessness and tells a story of pride and redemption as one protagonist descends into homelessness, while the other rises out of it. Unique thanks to the processes our creative team are developing to help the core cast generate material. By the end, as well as our show, we’ll have a totally new method of creating musical theatre which we plan to share freely with the industry via our chronicle of the process.

Contact: www.thehwordmusical.com / Julie@onespiritproductions.co.uk / 07836 336986 / www.onespiritproductions.co.uk

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LIGHTS-UP PLATFORM 4

Book by German Munoz / Music by Jennifer Cook / Lyrics by Tamsin Collison The ambitious Mars Rover ‘Destiny’ blasts off from Earth, determined to find fame as the first explorer to discover life on Mars, regardless of her less glamorous mission directive. When Jefferson, a straight-laced veteran NASA scientist, awakens her from dormant flight mode, he discovers an exasperating, easily-distracted Rover, whose wayward behaviour threatens the mission. To Destiny’s equal annoyance, Jefferson’s by-the-book approach fails to allow for new developments, including her suspicions that something alive is watching her. The pair must learn the power of teamwork and friendship in order to solve the mysteries Mars holds for them.

Stage of development: showcase Ideal cast size: 2 Ideal band size: 3 Style of piece: Original family-friendly musical Playwright German Munoz was born and raised in Mexico, and is now based in London. His play How Will I Know? was shortlisted for Best New Play at the Brighton Fringe (2015). Other work includes Straying in Seattle, Hopelessly Devoted To You and Schroedinger’s Cat which won The Bush Theatre/Bushgreen competition (2011). His musical Bedspread was produced by the Pensive Federation at the Tristan Bates Theatre (2014) and Mars Rover was shortlisted for the 2015 S&S Award by Mercury Musical Developments and Curve Theatre Leicester. German is a member of the BML (Book, Music & Lyrics) workshop, London.

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Mars Rover

Jennifer Cook is a composer, lyricist, and musical director. She earned an MA in Musical Theatre Writing from Goldsmiths University of London, a BA in Media Music from Brigham Young University, and is an active contributor to the advanced BML (Book, Music & Lyrics) writing workshop in London. Her music has been commissioned and performed by Full House Theatre Company, YMTUK, Cantorum Chamber Choir, and Utah Festival Opera.

Lyricist/librettist Tamsin Collison has been commissioned by ENO, the Royal Opera, Tete à Tete Opera, The Shout and Highbury Opera Theatre. Dart’s Love, written for Tete à Tete with composer Kerry Andrew, won a BASCA Award (2013). She has recorded a jazz album, Under Your Spell, and also writes lyrics for other jazz singers. She is a member of the advanced BML (Book, Music & Lyrics) workshop, currently developing Mars Rover and Darius. Future projects include a new opera for H.O.T. with composer Scott Stroman (2017) and a commission for BBCSO with composer Cheryl Frances Hoad (2018).

We are seeking: Further development opportunities following an ACE-funded workshop in February 2016, and we are eager to bring our story to more audiences by finding backers/partners/producers for a season at the Edinburgh Festival and/or a tour in 2017.

Contact: www.germanmunoz.com / german.munoz@live.co.uk / 07854 231085 / www.jenniferlucycook.com / jenniferlucycook@gmail.com / 07938 231444 / www.tamsincollison.co.uk / tamsin.collison@gmail.com / 07956 185832

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Tim Gilvin Composer Showcase Tim Gilvin presents a selection of material from various musicals, with help from several guests.

“an exciting new voice for British musical theatre” British Theatre Guide “a beautifully inflected score [for Stay Awake, Jake] by composer/lyricist Tim Gilvin that’s alternately melodic and mournful” The Stage “a writer […] on the way up” The Reviews Hub Beam 2016 / Lights Up-Platfrom

Tim Gilvin is a composer lyricist and has been writing musicals for six years. These include Gap Year: A Musical Comedy (Leicester Square Lounge, 2012), Kate and the Devil (Stiles and Drewe Best New Song Award Shortlist 2015) and Stay Awake, Jake (winner of the S&S Award 2014; The Vaults Festival 2016). He has also had self-produced pop tracks played on BBC Radio 6, as a solo act and with his band, Fallingham Fair. Current projects include Kew Gardens, an adaptation of a short story by Virginia Woolf.

I am seeking: Producers/supporters for Kew Gardens, venues for Stay Awake, Jake, future collaborators, directors, etc.

Contact: www.timgilvin.co.uk / timgilvin@gmail.com / 07999 402714

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LIGHTS-UP PLATFORM 4

The Edwardians

Music & Musical Direction by Izo Fitzroy / Book, Lyrics & Direction by Robert Gontier The Edwardians is based on the rise and fall of the Teddy Boy revolution that shook the United Kingdom when teenagers broke free from their parents’ traditional standards and took fashion, sex and violence to a new level in the mid-1950s. In a time when England was still reeling from WWII this group of youths needed an outlet to express themselves and found a way to shed new light on what it meant to be an individual. Our story follows a group of boys in a band as they tell a series of events that led to one of the most tragic riots on London soil.

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Stage of development: 1st draft Ideal cast size: 14 Ideal band size: 5 Style of piece: Contemporary, gospel, rock musical, rhythm & blues Izo FitzRoy: (Composer / Lyricist) is an internationally recognised Gospel and Blues Singer. Recent works include: Debut Blues album Skyline, released under Izo FitzRoy, September 2016, recorded in 2015, New Orleans. Other projects include composer and musical director of Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir and Urban Voices Collective. Winner of The BBC Proms Guardian Young Composer of The Year (2004). Education: MA in Voice Studies, RCSSD; Continuing Education BA in Composition, RSAMD; MA in European Civilisation, Glasgow University. She is currently Senior Voice Coach on Matilda The Musical. www.ifvoice.co.uk Robert Gontier: (Book Writer / Lyricist) Works: Central Park Tango (CMTP, Square One Series NYC reading, Theatre Aquarius readings); In Flanders Fields (Smile Theatre, Lunchbox Theatre, Golden Apple Theatre); John D. McKellar Tribute (BFTA Awards); Johnny Jackson and His Heavenly Passion (Toronto Fringe). Training: Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project (led by Lin-Manuel Miranda & Craig Carnelia); Craft of Musical Theatre Writing, Lehman Engel Advanced Workshop Series (ScriptLab). Education: MA in Voice Studies, RCSSD; BFA in Acting, Ryerson University. Memberships: PGC, DGA. Robert is a Professor of Voice, Text, and Writing at Sheridan College. He is also the Faculty Lead for the Canadian Music Theatre Project.

We are seeking: Interested producers and/or theatre companies able to provide further development, funding opportunities and guidance on route to next draft/first production.

Contact: izofitz@gmail.com / 07845482218 / www.robertgontier.com / robertgontier@yahoo.ca / +0019057179580

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This is Also England

Book & Lyrics by Raphael Smith / Book & Music by Joseph Finlay

Stage of development: We have a first draft and had a staged reading in November 2015 as part of From Page to Stage Ideal cast size: 12 Ideal band size: 8 Style of piece: Traditional book musical

Joseph Finlay writes new musical theatre and is currently writing 2 shows: This is Also England, with Raphael Smith and The Superhero, with Richard Hughes. His song Don’t Look Down, recently won the Stiles and Drewe Best New Song Award, awarded at the Garrick Theatre as a part of a gala concert featuring Elaine Paige. Joseph is a member of the advanced class of the Book, Music and Lyrics group for composers, lyricists and book writers of musical theatre.

We are seeking: A producer to help us mount the first production of the show.

Contact: schriresmith@gmail.com / 07790 547877 / andifnotnow@yahoo.co.uk / 07906 135405

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Raphael Smith is a screenwriter and lyricist based in London. His work has been featured in From Page to Stage at the Tristan Bates theatre as well as being shortlisted for the Stiles and Drewe competition. He is a member of the advanced class for Book, Music and Lyrics. In 2004, he was nominated for a BAFTA for his short film Sea Monsters. In 2008 he wrote Sidney Turtlebaum (2008) starring Derek Jacobi, which was shortlisted for an Academy Award and nominated for best short film at the 2009 British Independent Film Awards.

musicaltheatrenetwork.com

Our musical is about yearning for a home. Miriam is newly arrived from Antigua in 1950s London. She’s in conflict with her father and his rigid ideas about belonging and being British. She meets Lazar - an outsider with few hopes. Through that relationship she discovers a home is possible - all that London needs is a little fixing. With Lazar’s (reluctant) help she brings her neighbours together to take on her nefarious landlord.

Ours is a traditional book musical where psychological elements interact with a humid political climate of race, immigration and money.

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Book, Music & Lyrics by Rebecca Applin / Musical Direction by Barnaby Southgate

A composer showcase, presenting a medley from two particular musicals in development: Beyond and My Life. Beyond tells the story of Niah Taylor, a doctor finding it hard to come to terms with losing a patient in Resus. But Callum, the former patient has not disappeared yet, and has just a short time to help Niah move forwards before he himself moves on to the ‘life beyond’.

My Life is a re-imagining of the Faust legend for the contemporary world. Fran Nightingale wins the unimaginable: the life of her dreams in the My Life mansion. But unless she can rediscover what she has signed away, she will be at the mercy of the two figures that run the house, for eternity.

Stage of development: The short version of Beyond was performed as part of the Accidents and Emergencies evening at the LOST Theatre, produced by This Stage Ltd. Rebecca is now developing it into a longer piece. My Life is currently in development with the New Wolsey and Mercury Theatres, in association with MMD as part of the Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer Scheme. Ideal cast size: Beyond – 6 / My Life – 9 Ideal band size: 4 Style of piece: Contemporary magic realism

Lights-Up Platfrom / Beam 2016

Rebecca Applin Writer Showcase

Rebecca Applin is the current holder of the Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer Scheme, and is resident at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, and the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich.

Together with Susannah Pearse, Rebecca was highly commended for Jabberwocky in the 2014 S&S Award. Their musical The 45th Marvellous Chatterley Village Fete is licensed by Perfect Pitch; and together with Kate Ferguson, Rebecca and Susannah won a commission from the Shaw estate to adapt The Devil’s Disciple into a musical, facilitated by MMD. Rebecca has worked on projects for BBC Learning Zones, with Gamelab UK, two of which were nominated for BAFTA awards.

Contact: www.rebeccaapplin.co.uk / info@rebeccaapplin.co.uk / 07816 537 185

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Equally

Book & Lyrics by Tori Allen-Martin / Music by Tim Prottey-Jones Set in London and described as Once meets Closer, Equally is an ensemble piece for four, that features five relationships, though two characters never meet! The question asked is, ‘can you love two people at the same time?.....

Equally?’ It’s about love, loss, friendship, choice and regret. It’s about twenty-first century love. How hard it is to find someone and how we can mistake lust for love or sometimes miss true love because it didn’t come in the package we expected it to. Featuring a commercial pop/rock/folk score, this is a modern day piece for a modern audience.

Stage of development: 2nd draft. Six workshop performances at The Cockpit in April 2014. A complete re-write since. Ideal cast size: 4 (optional backing vocals) Ideal band size: 5 Style of piece: Romantic comedy/drama musical

Beam 2016 / Lights-Up Platfrom

Tori Allen-Martin is founder/creative director of Interval Productions, who create new musicals which challenge the medium of traditional musical theatre. Streets (co-written by Tori & Sarah Henley) was multi-award nominated including Best New Musical and Most Promising Playwrights (OFFIES), and transferred to Hackney Empire and the Vaults. Another Way (also co-written with Henley), a rom-com musical, was also OFFIE nominated for Best New Musical in the same year. As a singer/actor Tori has originated four roles in British musical premieres, and her debut EP Wasted reached no.20 in the singer/songwriter iTunes chart.

Most recently she has been commissioned by Idris Elba and Bob & Co to write for an exciting new project.

Tim Prottey-Jones is a composer, actor, vocalist and musician currently appearing at the Adelphi Theatre in Kinky Boots. Tim has also performed in Once, Rent and Jesus Christ Superstar. 2015 saw the completion of his 3rd studio album, To Do. To Be., a collection of original, new musical theatre featuring guest vocalists and collaborators. The songs on his latest release feature songs from stage musicals, Muted, Equally and The First Last Kiss. Tim also performs and writes in two bands, Straight On Red and The Paper Hearts, the latter have recently secured management, radio airplay and are working towards their debut EP. We are seeking: A production 2016/17. Happy to workshop material with a new producer.

Also interested in producers/venues/investment.

Contact: www.intervalproductions.com / toriallenmartin@hotmail.com / 07772 623085 / www.toriallenmartin.com

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WE ARE THRILLED TO BE PART OF BEAM 2016 AND WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE ALL INVOLVED The Stable was formed two years ago to commission, develop and produce original musical theatre We have the following Musicals In Development Fanatical by Matt Board & Reina Hardy The Rhythm Method by Gwyneth Herbert & Diane Samuels The Happy Prince by Hal Cazalet & Michael Barry The Wigmaker’s Tale by Douglas Hodge & Bryony Lavery Thank you to our wonderful BEAM Company Tom Brady, Haydn Gwynne, Gwyneth Herbert and her Band, Evelyn Hoskins, Bradley Jaden, Alastair Knights, Sandra Marvin, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Tosh Wanogho-Maud

If you are interested in supporting our work or partnering with us please contact neil@thestablemusicals.co.uk or jane@thestablemusicals.co.uk www.thestablemusicals.co.uk

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@stablemusicals

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The Unblinding

Concept & Book by Sarah Henley / Music & Lyrics by James Fox / Producer: Sarah Sansom

Stage of development: 1st ACE funded workshop. Shortlisted for Kevin Spacey Artist of Choice Award and currently shortlisted for The Space arts and tech commission Ideal cast size: 15 Ideal band size: 5 Style of piece: Sci-fi pop/rock show for young people (14-25) Sarah Henley has written the book for new musicals Streets (Hackney Empire, The Vaults, The Cockpit, Off West End Award Nomination for Best New Musical and Most Promising New Playwright); Another Way (The Cockpit, Off West End Award Nomination for Best New Musical); Muted (The Courtyard, Iris Theatre, WhatsonStage Award Nomination for Best New Musical and Broadway World Nomination for Best Fringe or Regional Musical). With writing partner Tori Allen-Martin, she is currently under commission by Bob & Co and Idris Elba for a very exciting project work-shopping this year.

We are seeking: A venue and resources for a second workshop in late 2016 as well as partners interested in collaborating artistically.

Contact: www.timewontwait.com / sarah@timewontwait.com / 07719 68445

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James Fox is a composer and lyricist. He has had many roles in the music industry – having had chart success writing and performing his own songs; writing for other artists; being a session musician; and performing in musicals. He wrote the Poppy Appeal single last year with Tim Rice, and was the UK’s Eurovision entrant. He also wrote tracks on Alex Parks’s platinum selling album. He has performed as Paul McCartney in Let it Be and as Billy Joel (Piano Man) in Movin’ Out in the West End and Broadway.

musicaltheatrenetwork.com

The Unblinding is a completely original story set against a London backdrop with a sci-fi undercurrent, hit tunes and special effects. Stylistically think Top Boy meets The X-Files, Gorillaz meets Coldplay, and The Inbetweeners meets Curious Incident!

The Unblinding tells the story of Eden – a young boy in a chaotic world who develops a special power. His skin lights up and when it does, he can see people’s time trails and the creatures that weave them. Over the course of Eden’s adventure he uncovers some truths in his own past, and by telling his story (with the help of the creatures), has a healing impact on his own family and the wider world.

LIGHTS-UP PLATFORM 5

Fanny & Stella

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Music & Lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer / Book by Gus Gowland / Directed by Alastair Knights

Stage of development: 1st draft Ideal cast size: 8-10 Ideal band size: 5 Style of piece: Book musical, musical comedy, drag Eamonn O’Dwyer trained at the Royal Academy of Music. He has written music and lyrics for two new musicals, The House of Mirrors & Hearts (Arcola) and Five Children & It (Tristan Bates) as well as scores/sound design for Stones in his Pockets (Dukes, Lancaster), The Glass Menagerie (Chipping Norton), Portia Coughlan (Old Red Lion), The Massacre (Bury St Edmunds), and Frankenstein (Dorset Corset Theatre Company). He is a frequent musical collaborator at The Rose Theatre in Kingston, where he has written scores for The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe, A Christmas Carol, and Tess of the d’Urbervilles.

Gus Gowland is a bookwriter, lyricist and composer. His musical Pieces of String, developed with Perfect Pitch, is currently optioned

by The Booking Office. Recent work includes SICK! (LOST Theatre), Clocks & Teapots (Rada Studios), Barren (special prize for meritLOST One Act Theatre Festival) Tell Me On A Thursday (Etcetera Theatre), Copyright Christmas (Barbican). He produced and directed Miniscule Musicals for Olivier award winning company Duckie! Gus has been shortlisted for both the Perfect Pitch award and the Stiles & Drewe Best New Song Award and in 2014 was invited to join the UK Jury for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Lights-Up Platfrom / Beam 2016

Fanny & Stella were no ordinary Victorian women; they were Frederick Park and Ernest Boulton, two of the most successful female impersonators of their day. Earning plaudits for their performances onstage, and notoriety for their antics in the alleyways of London, they were eventually arrested and subjected to a sensational trial, where every lascivious detail was lapped up by an incredulous public. Raucously adapted from Neil McKenna’s best-selling book, we tell the story of these ‘sisters’ in vivid musical technicolour. It’s a tale of drag, sex and identity, of high morals and low manners; a dazzling Victorian peepshow.

Alastair Knights: Theatre credits include: London Premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Putting It Together (St James Theatre), Kings of Broadway (Palace Theatre) The Spitfire Grill (Union Theatre - BWW Award for Best New Production of a Musical) A Little Night Music: 40th Anniversary Concert (Palace Theatre) Dream Queen (Shakespeare’s Globe). Television credits include: The Elaine Paige Show (Sky Arts). Alastair is the founder and curator of St James RE:act - the emerging artists initiative at St James Theatre, London.

Through RE:act he has directed many new plays and musicals at venues including St James Studio, Cockpit Theatre & OvalHouse.

We are seeking: Last year we were granted the exclusive stage rights by Faber & Faber and Neil McKenna to his best-selling book Fanny & Stella and we are now nearing the completion of a first draft. We are looking for potential producers and/ or theatres to develop the piece towards a reading or workshop later in 2016. Throughout the developmental period of Fanny & Stella we have been consulting with The Beaumont Trust – the UK’s leading transgender charity - and are keen to continue this association by working with trans actors on any future workshops or productions.

Contact: www.eamonnodwyer.com / alaknights@gmail.com / www.gusgowland.com

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PRODUCER PLATFORM 1

Youth Music Theatre UK Youth Music Theatre UK (YMT) is the UK’s leading music theatre company for young people aged 11-21. An Arts Council England NPO, YMT creates and develops new musicals with established/emerging professionals and talented young people drawn from national auditions. Since 2003, YMT has created over 60 shows, including Olivier Award-nominated Loserville. Alumni include Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and Lauren Samuels. 2016 Season highlights: What I Go To School For ­– the BUSTED musical (Theatre Royal Brighton) by Busted’s James Bourne & Elliot Davis, immersive contemporary dance-opera (Peckham’s Bussey Building) and an Irish warrior adventure (Lyric Theatre Belfast).

Songs are taken from 3 YMT productions co-created by Tarek Merchant. The first, The Making of Ali & Nino, tells of the romance between a Muslim Azeri boy and Christian Georgian girl, combining the sounds of Azeri Mugham and Georgian vocal polyphony.

The bold reimagining of Gulliver’s Travels was created in collaboration with singer-songwriter Duke Special & lyricist Andrew Doyle.

A London production is planned.

Beam 2016 / Producer Platform

The Salsa Sisters uses a score infused with the vibrant rhythms of Latin music, to explore the dark history of the Cuban revolution.

We finish with a foretaste of the new ‘Busted’ musical – What I Go to School For. We are seeking: • London venue and potential further commissioning partner for Gulliver’s Travels in 2017 • Further dates for What I Go to School For • International partners for projects in the Caucusus and France Contact: Jon Bromwich – Executive Producer, Youth Music Theatre UK, Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King Street, London W6 0QL / mail@ymtuk.org / 020 8563 7725 / @ymtuk

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PRODUCER PLATFORM 1

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

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The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s pioneering Musical Theatre team has developed and produced over 40 new musicals over the last decade. Many of these works have gone on to further productions in the UK and US as a result of initial presentation as part of our Edinburgh Fringe Festival season. We act as a creative producer and commissioner and have collaborated and co-produced with organizations including National Theatre of Scotland, Dundee Rep, Perfect Pitch and NYU. Writing teams collaborate in our state of the art facilities, working with multiskilled students (including instrumentalists) trained in the development of new work.

Contact: Andrew Panton, Artistic Director Musical Theatre / a.panton@rcs.ac.uk Michael Howell, Programme Coordinator Musical Theatre / m.howell@rcs.ac.uk

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PRODUCER PLATFORM 2

Perfect Pitch Perfect Pitch is a not-for-profit theatre company, supported by Arts Council England, dedicated to creating new British musicals. Established in 2006, we work in collaboration with venues, writers, producers and creatives all over the UK and beyond to create, develop, produce and license high quality new British musicals.

Perfect Pitch will provide an overview of the different ways to work with the company and the current projects for which they are seeking partners or other development support.

They will present songs from two of their shows: The Go-Between (opening West End in May 2016) & LIFT presented at Soho Theatre in 2013. With Roger Haines (director of The Go-Between) and Craig Adams (Composer of LIFT).

Contact: www.perfectpitchmusicals.com / andy@perfectpitchmusicals.com / 07957 313666

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We are seeking: Venue partners to discuss production opportunities, co-productions or development interest. Producers interested in developing projects for long-term or producing new existing works. Supporters interested in joining our Club membership scheme that supports new work whilst being part of a musical theatre community.

musicaltheatrenetwork.com

“What we try and do is find, encourage, nurture new musical writing talent in this country. It’s what we have to do. Musicals are the lifeblood of the theatre. We have to find new talent, we have to encourage them.”

Michael Ball, Patron of Perfect Pitch

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PRODUCER PLATFORM 2

ARIA ENTERTAINMENT is a theatre production company run by Katy Lipson which has a focus on new musical theatre. Each year we produce a minimum of one new British musical and one new American musical as well as the From Page To Stage season of new musicals which is currently in its 4th year. In 2016 we are planning on commissioning 3 new musicals. Each show today featured as part of the From Page To Stage season of new musicals supported by Grant For The Arts and all now seek full production opportunities.

The Stationmaster – by Tim Connor and Susannah Pearse (based on Hovarth’s Judgement Day as translated by Christopher Hampton) Claus – by Andy Collyer and Simon Warne (based on The Life And Adventures Of Santa Claus by L.Frank Baum) The Return Of The Soldier – by Charles Miller and Tim Sanders (based on the novella by Rebecca West)

Producer Platform / Beam 2016

Aria Entertainment

We are seeking: Venue partners for a tour or sit down run of The Return Of The Solider for 2017 or 2018 and we are seeking a venue for a sit down run for The Stationmaster for 2017 or 2018. For Claus we are seeking a venue which does not programme panto and looking for an alternate Christmas family musical for any future Christmas season.

Contact: www.aria-entertainment.com / katy@aria-entertainment.com / 07947 074887

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PRODUCER PLATFORM 3

The Stable The Stable commissions, develops and produces original musical theatre. The company was established in 2014 by Neil Marcus and Jane Semark to champion a new wave of musical theatre writers, and place their work on main stages throughout the UK and beyond. The Stable believes in nurturing work and letting it grow organically in the right space for the material.

Neil was formerly Executive Director of Mercury Musical Developments. Producing credits include Stiles & Drewe’s Soho Cinders (Soho Theatre), The A-Z of Mrs P (Southwark Playhouse), Dream Queen with Janie Dee (Sam Wanamaker at Shakespeare’s Globe), Adam Guettel at The London Hippodrome, Michael Feinstein at The Palace, and Maria Friedman Celebrates The Great British Songbook. Jane was part of the original team at Kevin Spacey’s Old Vic Theatre Company, where she worked on more than 20 productions including international transfers and tours.

Beam 2016 / Producer Platform

The Stable will be presenting songs from four shows in development: Joan - a musical about revolutionary director Joan Littlewood by Gwyneth Herbert and Mel Brimfield.

Fanatical - a musical by Matt Board and Reina Hardy set during a sci-fi convention for cult TV show Angel 8.

The Happy Prince - based on the Oscar Wilde story with a score by Hal Cazalet and book by Michael Barry. Developmental workshops directed by Maria Friedman and choreographed by Drew McOnie.

The Wigmaker’s Tale - a musical fairytale with score by Douglas Hodge and book by Bryony Lavery.

We are seeking: • Fanatical – venue partners for 2017 tour and an off West End run in 2017.

• The Happy Prince – early stage investment for a second workshop, which we would like to undertake this Autumn. We are also looking for development partners and a venue partner for 2017.

• The Wigmaker’s Tale – early stage investment for a first workshop later this year. We are also looking for development partners.

• The Rhythm Method – we have a potential venue partner and are looking for development partners and early stage investment for scratch nights later in the year.

• Joan – we have a potential venue partner and are looking for early stage investment for workshops/developmental work.

Contact: We are based in central London and happy to meet to discuss any of the projects we currently have in development. www.thestablemusicals.co.uk / neil@thestablemusicals.co.uk / @stablemusicals / jane@thestablemusicals.co.uk

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PRODUCER PLATFORM 3

Rifco Arts Rifco develops and creates vibrant, accessible and high quality theatre to encourage and to engage new and diverse audiences. Their work reflects and celebrates the contemporary British Asian experience with a focus on artistic excellence, new writing and ambitious programming, involving the community every step of the way. In 2010 the company’s Artistic Director Pravesh Kumar wrote and directed the acclaimed Britain’s Got Bhangra along with composer Sumeet Chopra and lyricist Dougal Irvine. The production fused Bhangra music with Indian movement and spectacular costumes and toured the UK for two years playing to sold out houses.

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Laila - The Musical, written and directed by Pravesh Kumar, Music by Sumeet Chopra, Lyrics by Dougal Irvine. The Britain’s Got Bhangra creative team come together to bring you the story of young love and feuding families given a modern musical twist in the retelling of the greatest Eastern love story Laila Majnu.

The production is currently in rehearsal and embarking on an eight week tour opening at Watford Palace Theatre in April and touring through until June: New Wolsey Ipswich, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Warwick Arts Centre, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Theatre Royal Windsor and The Lowry Salford.

We are seeking: Partners to exploit their work commercially and internationally to reach and develop new audiences for its work as well as partner venues across the UK for its mid and small scale tours.

It has recently launched an artist development scheme – Rifco Creative Associates – where it works with emerging and mid career artists to provide opportunity, space to move their work forward, grow and support a network of British Asian Artists across the UK. Contact: www.rifcoarts.com / holly@rifcoarts.com / @RifcoArts #LailaTheMusical / facebook.com/RifcoArts1

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PRODUCER PLATFORM 4

Sell A Door Theatre Company

Footloose, American Idiot and James and the Giant Peach join a number of very exciting touring announcements for 2016.

We are seeking: a venue to launch a tour of the show in Autumn 2017.

Contact: www.selladoor.com / info@selladoor.com / 020 3355 8567

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Sincerely, Mr. Toad had a successful run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and Sell A Door has received Arts Council funding to further develop the show into a larger scale musical for touring. We are commencing this second development stage and will present a showcase in central London in mid-October 2016.

Creatives: David Hutchinson (Book), Kate Williamson (Lyrics with), David Andrew Wilson (Music)

musicaltheatrenetwork.com

Established in 2009 with an aim to deliver dynamic, diverse and daring theatre, Sell A Door has produced an impressive portfolio of work principally aimed at engaging young adult audiences.

Sell A Door has developed rapidly and has firmly established itself as a leading producer of mid- and large-scale touring theatre. Having produced in excess of 50 productions, the company has become an integral part of the regional theatre landscape in the UK & Ireland.

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nitroBEAT is an evolution of Black Theatre Co-op/Nitro (est, 1979) and a vital collective urge to drive the vision forward into a new era - bringing together known and undiscovered talent and creating music-theatre with a rebellious streak – intuitively and without labels. We’re in love with music, theatre and visual art and they’re at the heart of everything we do. We’re finding new ways to explore the urgent stories of modern life waiting to be told. Compelled by the desire to connect, excite, challenge and to cross boundaries, we’re encouraging people to examine the relationships with themselves and each other.

MAS Productions and NitroBEAT in association with Soho Theatre present The Passion Of Lady Vendredi - Tues 12th – Sat 30th April 2016 Imagine Grace Jones in a live futuristic Blaxploitation movie directed by John Waters… This viciously beautiful and exuberant immersive music theatre production lets you gaze into the open wound of the world, where a live soundtrack of pulsating synthetic rhythms and dirty bass drive the tensions between freedom and control.

“…great music, humorous, courageous and a truly innovative fusion.”

Total Theatre

Producer Platform / Beam 2016

NitroBEAT

Directed by Jonathan Grieve, co-created & performed by Nwando Ebizie, live band The Vendettas & an international cast.

We are seeking: Venues to partner in a tour in 2017. Exploring new opportunities for future project partnerships and co-productions.

Contact: www.nitrobeat.co.uk / info@nitrobeat.co.uk

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PRODUCER PLATFORM 4

Michael Peavoy, Co-Producer of The Buskers Opera Michael Peavoy has been developing The Buskers Opera with Dougal Irvine for over 4 years. He started producing at Soho Theatre, presenting various cabarets and events and the Search for a Twitter Composer Competition, showcasing the work of over 50 composers on stage and creating an online platform for almost 100 writers/writing partnerships. He was also a co-producer on The A to Z of Mrs P by Gwyneth Herbert and Diane Samuels alongside Neil Marcus, Jamie Clarke and Paul Tyrer, who have teamed up again for The Buskers Opera.

Beam 2016 / Producer Platform

The Buskers Opera - book, music and lyrics by Dougal Irvine. Running at the Park Theatre 28th April - 4th June 2016. The Busker’s Opera is a new musical inspired by John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera of 1728.

Staying true to the satirical and poetic nature of the show’s source material, Dougal Irvine’s modern take tackles the same social issues that are still alive and well some 288 years later. We will be talking about the creation of the show, its influences, some of the unique elements of the production and presenting excerpts from the show.

We are seeking: Co-producers and venues post premiere and philanthropic support for subsidised ticketing scheme.

Contact: michaelpeavoy@me.com

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Grateful thanks to the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation for their generous support of the Mercury Musical Developments Members’ Masterclasses and special thanks to Sarah Miller, David Grindrod and Georgina Land-Wilkins at the Foundation.

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Masterclass 1: Tuesday 8th March 2016 at 3.30pm INTERPRETING NEW WORK with Claude-Michel Schönberg featuring Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary Legendary composer of Les Miserable and Miss Saigon, Claude-Michel Schönberg, will lead this masterclass looking at how actors work with writers to interpret new work. The masterclass will begin with actors exploring one of Schönberg’s pieces.

Dynamic writing duo Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary (The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Curve Leicester) will then share work from their new musical Prodigy (NYMT: St James Theatre) in a live workshop session. Tom Deering (Wonder.Land, Made in Dagenham) will Music Direct.

The session will conclude with a Q&A.

Masterclass 2: Wednesday 9th March 2016 at 10.00am DEVELOPMENTAL WORKSHOPS, INDUSTRY SHOWCASES AND BACKER’S AUDITIONS with Howard Goodall & Jeremy Sams Lauded Composer Howard Goodall (The Hired Man, Love Story, Bend it like Beckham) and dynamic director Jeremy Sams (The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz) will lead this masterclass exploring the process of workshopping new pieces, and when an industry showcase and a backers audition are necessary.

The masterclass will conclude with a Q&A.

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Lega

2940 Beam Showcase Magazine_aw.indd Programme.indd 311 Legally Blonde_DLuxe

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