Support BEAM
The inaugural BEAM showcase at Park Theatre, London in 2016 was described by a leading artistic director as “game-changing” and was followed in 2018 by a two-day showcase at Theatre Royal, Stratford East showcasing fifty-eight contemporary British musical theatre pieces and their writers.
BEAM 2020 was due to take place at Royal & Derngate, Northampton in March 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An online sharing of extracts from the forty-one shows selected took place instead and can be viewed here and we plan to mount a revised live and/or streamed showcase in 2021.
By sponsoring BEAM you or your company will have the opportunity to reach many of the top industry decision makers in UK Theatre. For two days, key theatre figures are gathered together for this unprecedented, industry-only event. You will also be supporting the artists who are shaping the future of British musical theatre.
What?
BEAM is a biennial, two-day event. In 5 years’ time we want new musical theatre appearing on UK stages to be able to trace its genesis back to the original BEAM and it’s successors. In order for the UK to remain a centre of excellent and innovative musical theatre, we need to strategically support new writers, encourage industry collaboration and raise awareness of the breadth of work being created. BEAM is designed to do this.
The two days consist of panel discussions, networking and the showcases themselves. We feature new work by emerging and established musical theatre writers via 10-minute ‘Lights Up’ pitches, 25-minute ‘Spotlight’ extracts and individual writer platforms, showcasing the range of a particular individual or writing team’s work. Tickets are available to venues, producers, artistic directors, literary managers, directors, licensing houses and industry practitioners interested in supporting new musical theatre.
Who?
BEAM is produced in partnership by charity Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) and Musical Theatre Network (MTN) and is a key part of both organisations’ mission to support the development of new British musical theatre.
MMD’s members are musical theatre writers at all stages of their careers encompassing both those new to the genre as well as experienced practitioners such as Stiles & Drewe, Charles Hart and Howard Goodall. Our patrons include Judi Dench, Maria Friedman, Don Black and Tim Rice. MTN’s membership is made up of leading venues and producers across the UK such as ATG, Curve Leicester, The Other Palace, and the RSC. By supporting BEAM you will get un-paralleled access to our contacts and networks.
Why?
Past BEAM showcases were huge successes. Over two thirds of the work shown has been commissioned, produced or workshopped since. Artistic directors, venues and producers got to experience the incredible diversity of talent in the UK to a greater extent than ever before. In order to build upon the past success of BEAM, we need to raise £50,000 to fully pay all artists presenting at the next BEAM and to make sure we can broaden the reach of our pitching days.
We’re changing the musical theatre landscape in the UK. But we need you to help make this happen. So please back BEAM.
To talk about different kinds of support and sponsorship packages please contact Emily Gray, Executive Director at emily@mercurymusicals.co.uk or call 020 3951 7961.
Donations of any amount can be made by BACS transfer or cheque. Please make your cheque out to Mercury Musical Developments, with BEAM as the reference on the reverse and send to: Mercury Musical Developments, c/o 3rd Floor, 2 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0DH.
Thank you in advance for your generous support.
