Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) and Stiles + Drewe have announced the finalists in the running for 2025’s Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize.
Tag Archives | Mercury Musical Developments
Emma Vieceli is the winner of the Stiles + Drewe 2024 Best New Song Prize
Emma Vieceli’s ‘It Starts Small’ from the musical Unfolding has been crowned the Stiles + Drewe and Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) 2024 Best New Song Prize winner.
BEAM2025 pitch days and venues announced
Musical Theatre Network (MTN) and Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) have announced the dates and venues for the 21 pitching days aimed at finding new musicals to feature in the musical theatre showcase BEAM2025.
UK Musical Theatre Conference 2024 back in London
A case study of SpitLip’s Operation Mincemeat will be among the panel sessions at the UK Musical Theatre Conference 2024 at the Royal Court Theatre in London next month.
Rachel Walker Mason and Nina Sundstrom win the Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize 2023
Stiles + Drewe and Mercury Musical Developments have announced the winner of the Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize 2023. Twelve finalist songs from new British musicals were presented at The Other Palace, in a concert hosted by The Stage Debut Award winner Rob Madge. The songs were selected from 175 submissions by a large panel of industry judges.
Host and performers for Stiles + Drewe and Mercury Musical Developments 2023 Best New Song Prize concert
Award-winning performer Rob Madge (My Son’s a Queer (But what can you do?), Timpson The Musical) will host the Stiles + Drewe and Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) 2023 Best New Song Prize Concert.
Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize 2023 – the finalists
Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) and Stiles and Drewe have announced the finalists in the running for this year’s Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize.
Twenty-nine new musicals announced for BEAM2023
Musical Theatre Network (MTN) and Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) have announced the 29 musicals to be showcased at BEAM2023 next month.
Stiles and Drewe Best New Song Prize – The Other Palace
The first prize at the Stiles and Drewe Best New Song Prize went to a very deserving Flora Leo for ‘One Last Request’, adding to the composer-lyricist’s ‘Voice, Vision & Potential’ prize won at the same event last year.
First star performers announced for Stiles and Drewe Best New Song concert
George Stiles, Anthony Drewe and Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) have unveiled the first group of West End favourites lined up to perform the songs in the running for this year’s Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize later this month.
Singers and song list for online fundraiser Regenerate
The full line-up of singers and songs has been confirmed for online fundraising concert REGENERATE: Lost Songs from the Musicals. Presented by Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) with Musical Theatre Network (MTN), the showcase of new and unheard songs from some of the biggest names in musical theatre on 18 September will feature a mix of […]
Nineteen Pitch Days planned for BEAM2023
Musical Theatre Network (MTN) and Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) have announced the dates and venues for the 19 Pitch Days for musical theatre showcase BEAM2023. The search for up to 40 new musicals to feature in next year’s high-profile industry event will this year involve partnerships with 12 towns and cities across the UK. Launching […]
Unheard songs from musical theatre giants to feature in Regenerate fundraiser
The world premiere of a song from multi-award-winning lyricist Don Black and Platinum Jubilee composer and musical director Debbie Wiseman’s new musical Feather Boy will be among a number of unsung songs to feature in a star-studded live-streamed online fundraiser in September. Presented by Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) with Musical Theatre Network (MTN), REGENERATE: Lost […]
Natalia Scorer announced as new MMD executive director
Tall Stories Theatre Company’s creative programme director Natalia Scorer will succeed Emily Gray as executive director of Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) from June. Commenting on her new role, Scorer said: “I am delighted to be joining Mercury Musical Developments. It’s an organisation I have long admired, in a sector I am passionate about supporting. I hope […]
UK Musical Theatre Conference to return for first time in three years
After a pandemic-enforced three-year hiatus the UK Musical Theatre Conference will return on 16 May 2022. Produced by Musical Theatre Network and Mercury Musical Developments in association with host venue the Birmingham Hippodrome, this year’s event will focus on key areas in modern musical theatre. There will be discussions on staging prospects, approaches to inclusivity, […]
First Cameron Mackintosh resident musical theatre writing team placement announced
Musical Theatre Network (MTN), Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) and Theatr Clywd have announced the first musical theatre writing team to benefit from The Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer Scheme. Caitlyn Burt and Amir Shoenfeld will become the first Cameron Mackintosh Resident Musical Theatre Writers from June when they begin their placement at Theatr Clywd which becomes […]
Jordan Paul Clarke named as new Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer
Composer, musical director and improv specialist Jordan Paul Clarke will take up a year-long residency with the British Youth Music Theatre (BYMT) as the latest recipient of the Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer scheme from January 2022. Musical Theatre Network (MTN) and Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) have also revealed the BYMT will offer work or development […]
First West End artists announced for Stiles and Drewe Best New Song Prize concert
George Stiles, Anthony Drewe and Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) have announced the first group of West End stars lined up to perform the songs in the running for this year’s Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize at London’s Hackney Empire on 10 September 2021. With more star performers to be announced, the concert will […]
Stiles + Drewe 2021 Best New Song Prize shortlist announced
George Stiles, Anthony Drewe and Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) have announced the finalists in the running for this year’s Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize. Awarded on an annual basis to a member of MMD, the UK’s largest membership organisation dedicated to developing new musical theatre writing, the winner of this year’s award will […]
Line-up for live and online BEAM2021 announced
Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) and Musical Theatre Network (MTM) in association with Hackney Empire and stream.theatre have announced details of the hybrid live and online new musicals showcase BEAM2021. Following the postponement of BEAM2020, this year’s event which will mark the third presentation of the popular biennial industry showcase will feature 37 new musicals. Unveiling […]
British Youth Music Theatre to host next Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer placement
Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) and Musical Theatre Network (MTN) have confirmed the British Youth Music Theatre will host the next recipient of The Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer scheme. Commenting on the announcement on behalf of the British Youth Music Theatre (BYMT), executive producer Jon Bromwich said: “As a company committed to creating new music theatre, […]
Royal & Derngate announces four new musicals for 2021
Northampton’s Royal & Derngate has unveiled plans to premiere four new musicals as part of its Made in Northampton 2021 season. Three original musicals will debut on stage with a fourth appearing online in the culmination of a three-year development project involving a national consortium of partners in support of 150 artists. Innovative theatre company […]
All-star line-up for Stiles and Drewe Prize online concert
A host of West End stars have been enlisted to perform the shortlist of 15 compositions in the running for the 2020 Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize in a virtual concert to be streamed online next Sunday (5 July 2020). With musical direction by Steve Ridley, the songs will be performed by: Allyson […]
Sondheim Society to launch the Sondheim Sessions online
With this year’s Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year (SSSSPOTY) shelved due to the Covid-19 crisis, the organisers are launching the Sondheim Sessions, a series of free online concerts celebrating the timeless work of Stephen Sondheim this weekend. SSSSPOTY 2017 prize-winner Oscar Conlon-Morrey will take centre stage on Sunday (7 June 2020) for […]
Look out for BEAM2020 shows on social media on World Theatre Day
Artists involved in the 41 new musicals selected to be showcased at BEAM2020 at Royal & Derngate, Northampton are being invited to share content from their shows on social media between midday and 2pm tomorrow (27 March 2020). Mercury Musical Developments and Musical Theatre Network, the organisers of the prestigious biennial industry showcase which was […]
Manchester residency for Cameron Mackintosh scheme’s Finn Anderson
Scottish musical theatre composer and singer/songwriter Finn Anderson will take up a year-long residency at two of Manchester’s most prestigious venues as this year’s recipient of The Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer scheme. Musical Theatre Network and Mercury Musical Developments have confirmed the writer who was a finalist in the Stiles & Drewe Best New Song […]
BEAM 2020 line-up of new musicals
Mercury Musical Developments and Musical Theatre Network have announced the 41 new musicals selected to be showcased at BEAM2020 at Royal & Derngate, Northampton on 26 March and 27 March 2020. The musicals chosen to feature as 25-minute extracts at the leading showcase for new British musical theatre writing are: Black Power Desk by Urielle […]
Paul Taylor-Mills announces new musical theatre festival – MT Fest UK – for The Other Palace in 2019
Paul Taylor-Mills has revealed details of a festival of new musical theatre at The Other Palace planned for early next year. The leading independent producer who followed his two-year tenure as artistic director of the popular London venue by taking on the role of affiliate producer has unveiled plans for MT Fest UK, a showcase […]
MMD & MTN announce the BEAM Follow-Spot Programme to help regional musical theatre writers
Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) and Musical Theatre Network (MTN) have launched a new regional initiative designed to support emerging musical theatre writers. The BEAM Follow-Spot Programme is a year-long scheme aimed at providing sustained development support for writers launched in partnership with the National Theatre of Scotland and the Royal Exchange, Manchester. Announcing the project […]
Interview: Actress Rebecca Trehearn is looking for the ‘it’ factor at the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year gala
The West End Gala for The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Yearand the The Stiles + Drewe Prize, celebrating up and coming performers and writers, returns this weekend, at the Savoy Theatre on 10 June 2018. The annual competition, co-produced by the Stephen Sondheim Society and Mercury Musical Developments, features 12 of the top student performers […]
Follies star Tracie Bennett to host Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year gala
Olivier Award winner Tracie Bennett will host the 12th annual West End Gala for The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year and the 11th anniversary of The Stiles + Drewe Prize next month. Chris Hocking will return to direct the annual gala which will this year be staged at the Savoy Theatre on […]
Arts Council backing for Royal & Derngate’s new musical project
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 […]
BEAM 2018 – shining a light on talent with 58 new British musicals in development
Musical Theatre Review’s Tina Foote previews BEAM 2018, the Biennial Industry Showcase for New British Musical Theatre Writing, running from 1-2 March at London’s Theatre Royal Stratford East. This weekend Everybody’s Talking About Jamie won Best New Musical in the WhatsOnStage Awards after a successful transfer from the Sheffield Crucible to the West End, now happily […]
Directors announced for BEAM 2018 showcase event
Musical Theatre Network and Mercury Musical Developments have revealed the directors enlisted to take the helm of the eight musicals chosen to feature as 25-minute extracts at BEAM2018 at Theatre Royal Stratford East on Thursday 1 and Friday 2 March 2018. Hannah Chissick will direct The Season by Jim Barne and Kit Buchan, a satirical […]
BEAM 2018 new musicals showcase – ‘pitch days’ to start in September
Writers with ideas for new musical projects are being offered the chance to pitch their work for inclusion in BEAM 2018, the biennial industry showcase organisd by Musical Theatre Network and Mercury Musical Developments. Presented in association with Theatre Royal Stratford East, and culminating in a two-day industry showcase at the London venue in March […]
Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year – Stiles + Drewe Prize – Noel Coward Theatre
The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year/Stiles + Drewe Prize at the Noel Coward Theatre, London. There’s no stopping those girls! Scots lass Izuka Hoyle made it four in a row for female contenders by winning the prestigious Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year competition by following Corrine Priest, Erin Doherty and […]
Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year and Stiles + Drewe Prize – meet the winners
The Stephen Sondheim Society and Mercury Musical Developments today announced the winners of the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year and Stiles + Drewe Prize. The winners were revealed at the West End gala held at the Noёl Coward Theatre which was hosted by Olivier Award winner Clive Rowe. Izuka Hoyle won the Stephen Sondheim Society […]
The S&S Award and new musical Here – latest news
After having a week’s development at Curve Leicester in September 2016, the 2015 S&S Award-winning musical Here was presented at an industry showcase this week. Here is a folk-classical musical, inspired by writers Kate Marlais and Alex Young’s fascination with the German Dadaist artist Kurt Schwitters. The piece is set in a remote town in […]
Major new musical project to launch at Stratford East
British musical theatre is to receive a major boost with the launch of a new partnership between Theatre Royal Stratford East and New Musical Development Collective (NMDC), an organisation set up to develop homegrown musicals and genre artists. Joining forces with the prestigious London venue, NMDC will launch its inaugural Musical Theatre Lab (MT-Lab) on […]
Harry Blake takes up post as Cameron Mackintosh resident composer at West Yorkshire Playhouse
London-based composer Harry Blake has been confirmed as The Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. The award-winning composer, lyricist and sound designer who is half of the cabaret act House of Blakewell, is the second of five placements between 2015 and 2018 by Mercury Musical Developments and Musical Theatre Network through the […]
New Stiles and Drewe award will support original musical theatre writing in the UK
Olivier Award-winning writing duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe are to offer an annual award to help support and develop new musical theatre writing in the UK. For its first three years, the award will be fully funded by the world’s leading theatrical licensing agency Music Theatre International (MTI), to coincide with the opening of […]
Rebecca Applin is Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer
Mercury Musical Developments and Musical Theatre Network have announced that Rebecca Applin will be the Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester and the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, starting in October 2015. Rebecca Applin said: “I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to be resident composer at the Mercury Theatre and the New Wolsey Theatre. […]
Elaine Paige judges the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year
Twelve student finalists from top drama schools across the UK will compete for the title of this year’s Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year (SSSSPOTY), on Sunday 17 May at 3pm at the Garrick Theatre in London’s West End. Each student will sing a song by Stephen Sondheim and, at his personal request, […]
MTN & MMD Joint Conference 2014 takes place this week
Olivier Award-winning writer Richard Thomas (Jerry Springer the Opera) West End producer Kim Poster, and writer Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham) have joined the line-up of practitioners taking part in the Musical Theatre Network/Mercury Musical Developments annual joint conference at the Almeida Theatre on 21 March. The day runs from 10am–4.30pm and includes a number of […]
