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Mercury Musical Developments began as The Mercury Workshop.

Our organisation first started out as a small group of musical theatre writers who met up regularly to share their work, give feedback and support each other. Our current Writers’ Labs continue this tradition.

Our Writers’ Labs are generously supported by the Coral Samuel Charitable Trust. Applications to join the Labs open each year in the summer.

Writers' Labs

Lab 1:

Lab 1 is for experienced musical theatre writers. This group meets in person once a month and facilitators rotate each year.

2026-27 members: Tommy Antonio, Chris Ash, Rebecca Applin, Louis Barabbas, Ruth Chan, Darren Clark, Tim Connor, Steven Edis, Marc Folan, Fionn Foley, Ben Glasstone, Teresa Howard, Richy Hughes, Kitty Morgan, Susannah Pearse, Victoria Saxton, Parisa Shahmir, Tim Sutton, Charlie Turner 

2025-26 members: Chris Ash, Rebecca Applin, Ruth Chan, Darren Clark, Tim Connor, Steven Edis, Marc Folan, Ben Glasstone, Teresa Howard, Richy Hughes, Carl Miller, Kitty Morgan, Susannah Pearse, Victoria Saxton, Tim Sutton, Charlie Turner 


Lab 2:

Facilitated by Bella Barlow, Lab 2 is for mid-career to experienced musical theatre writers. This group predominantly meets online, with an in-person session every quarter.  

2025-26 members: Helen Arney, Bella Barlow, Rachel Bellman, Carlo Bosticco, Jordan Li-Smith, Meg McGrady, Nikki Racklin, Andy Room, Emily Rose Simon, A.C. Smith, Leo Simpe-Asante, Gerard Foster, Shaye Poulton Richards, Maz O’Connor

2023-24 members: Helen Arney, Bella Barlow, Rachel Bellman, Carlo Bosticco, Rhiannon Hopkins, Jordan Li-Smith, Meg McGrady, Nikki Racklin, Annabelle Lee Revak, Oli Rew, Andy Room, Emily Rose Simon, A.C. Smith, Patrick Stockbridge 


 

 

Lab 3:

Facilitated by Shauna Carrick, Lab 3 is for early to mid-career musical theatre writers. This group was launched in early 2026 and meets online once a month.  

2026 members:  Shauna Carrick, Tamiko Dooley, Brian Mackenwells, Zoe Morris, Grace O’Keefe, Johan Ribbing, Joe Venable, Trevor K Band, Simon Wu.


Lab 4:

In August 2026, we are launching a brand new Lab for early-career writers! In addition to support and feedback from peers, this lab also incorporates structured reflection on musical theatre craft, led by facilitators Caitlyn Burt and Amir Shoenfeld. 

Lab 4 will meet online, except for the first session of this group, which will take place at Birmingham Hippodrome on Friday 28th August. A limited number of travel bursaries are available. 

The MMD Lab Programme has been absolutely essential to my growth as a writer. I've learned so much from the feedback on our work, and also from getting to witness other people's creative journeys. There is a genuine warmth within the group and an open-minded approach that is tailored to meet each writer's artistic and career goals. Lab is a welcoming place to take risks with early-stage work. No one is expected to fit into a mould. Writers are continually encouraged to challenge the form, to innovate, and to celebrate their unique voices. The goal is for every writer to walk out the session feeling inspired to keep writing - and I know that is certainly the case for me.

A.C. Smith, Co-Leader and Member of Advanced Lab II

LAB is a warm, generous room where I can share new work in confidence and security. Feedback is supportive yet critically constructive, given by peers at a similar level of industry progression. Discussions are far-ranging, including the work itself, but also including theatrical structure, the wider canon and business advice. Reflections on work-in-progress come from a wide variety of perspectives, and always have information that is useful for further development, and for stimulating the creative process. I always thoroughly enjoy my sessions at LAB, and look forward both to presenting and hearing new material in an atmosphere of respect and encouragement.

Tim Sutton, Member of Advanced Lab l

Being a part of Lab has introduced me to new writers and new ways of writing, which has really expanded my own creative practise!

Annabelle Lee Revak, Member of Advanced Lab II