MMD appoints Matthew Eames as new Chair

Mercury Musical Developments (MMD), the UK’s leading membership organisation and charity dedicated to new musical theatre writing, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Matthew Eames as its new Chair of the Board of Trustees. Matthew succeeds long-serving Trustee Sean Gray, Managing Director of Music Theatre International (Europe). 

Bringing a distinguished background in theatre and arts leadership, Matthew currently serves as Head of Theatres (Contemporary and Commissioning) at Lowry in Salford. His journey in musical theatre began at the Royal Academy of Music, where he trained before embarking on a successful career as a performer in West End and touring productions. Transitioning to directing, he served as a resident and associate director before shifting his focus to arts management in 2012. 

Over the past decade at Lowry, Matthew has played a pivotal role in commissioning and programming innovative new musicals, including Police Cops the Musical, The Good Enough Mums Club, The Children’s Inquiry, and 42 Balloons. He has also spearheaded the commissioning of new family co-productions such as Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book, The Koala Who Could, and A Squash and a Squeeze. 

In 2017, Matthew launched the REWRITES platform at Lowry, an initiative dedicated to supporting emerging musical theatre creators. REWRITES has since evolved into a nationwide partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome, MAST Mayflower Studios, and Norwich Theatre, championing talents like Spitlip (Operation Mincemeat), The Letter Room, Silent Uproar, Sheep Soup, Finn Anderson, and Lewis Cornay. 

Matthew’s leadership credentials extend beyond musical theatre; he was part of the inaugural cohort of Clore Leadership’s Leading Systemic Change programme and is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM). 

MMD warmly welcomes Matt as he brings his passion and expertise to this exciting new chapter for the organisation. 

Matthew Eames says “I’m delighted to be joining Mercury Musical Developments as Chair at what is an incredibly exciting time for those writing and making new musical theatre in the UK. It’s essential that we maintain the momentum created by the success of new British musicals such as Operation Mincemeat, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Kathy and Stella Solve A Murder and ensure that writers have the tools, opportunities and support they need to develop themselves and their work. I look forward to supporting Natalia, the team and the membership to build on their substantial recent achievements and advocating for a sector that contributes so much to our cultural and economic success.” 

Outgoing Interim Chair Sean Gray says, “It has been a pleasure and an honour to be a board member of MMD, including as interim Chairperson, sharing time with some brilliant people and witnessing and contributing towards a genuine surge in interest in and enthusiasm for new musical theatre in this country. I’m delighted to hand the baton over to Matt, who is terrific. Wishing MMD and its wonderful team led by Natalia all my best and continued and increased success.”  

Natalia Scorer, Executive Director of MMD, says “We are so pleased to welcome Matt to the Board as our new Chair. We have long admired Matt’s brilliant work at The Lowry in developing musicals and supporting artists, and his passion for championing new work fits perfectly with ours. We look forward to working with Matt as we enter an exciting year for MMD – settling into our new base at Birmingham Hippodrome and producing the BEAM2025 showcase in May.  We’d like to thank Sean for all his valuable support on the Board over the years.”