Northampton’s Royal & Derngate’s project to inspire and create original musical productions has received a massive cash boost from the Arts Council England.
Over £684,000 will be invested in the Royal & Derngate-led programme that will include the production of four original musicals and the offer of support to at least 150 artists.
Working with a consortium of partners including China Plate, Improbable, Mercury Musical Developments, Musical Theatre Network, Perfect Pitch, and Scottish Opera, the three-year project will support a diverse range of writers, composers and theatre-makers to create original work conceived for mid-scale touring.
The scheme will include four original musical theatre shows, a series of original commissions, a festival showcasing a range of new touring musicals, a symposium focusing upon musical theatre and opera and a variety of artist development programmes. Royal & Derngate will also create and distribute one new musical digitally with free access via sharing platforms including YouTube.
The support from Arts Council England is part of the Ambition for Excellence scheme, a fund set up to develop artistic and cultural talent and leadership and give an international dimension to homegrown work.
Commenting on the new funding, Martin Sutherland, chief executive at the Royal & Derngate, said: “We’re delighted with this news and would like to thank Arts Council England for its confidence in our vision of an infrastructure that supports the development of truly original, contemporary musical theatre and opera.”
Artistic director James Dacre added: “We at Royal & Derngate look forward to leading this national consortium of musical theatre and opera partners in addressing the barriers that have prevented the production of new music theatre specifically designed for mid-scale regional touring.
“As the distinctions between musical theatre, opera and plays with music are increasingly blurring, we shall support at least 150 artists to create a diverse range of truly original new work.
“These are exciting times. The will, the talent and the audience are out there but only through sharing the risk, the resources and expertise can this step change happen.”
On behalf of the Arts Council England, area director Peter Knott said: The project offers an opportunity to revitalise the creation of new musicals for mid-scale theatres. So, we’re delighted to be supporting Royal & Derngate and their partners to create a variety of completely original musical theatre, opera and artist development opportunities.
“The financial and funding context in Northamptonshire is challenging for arts companies like the Royal & Derngate, so it’s great to see such ambition and enthusiasm which will bring interesting and diverse theatre to new audiences. We have seen amazing results from projects funded by the National Lottery through Ambition for Excellence and look forward to seeing the impact of this project.”
Angela Thomas
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