The Stage

Cash boost for “grassroots” musical theatre

Published Wednesday 17 June 2009 at 12:11 by Lalayn Baluch

Contemporary “grassroots” musical theatre has received a funding boost from Arts Council England worth almost £200,000.

It is hoped that the cash injection will strengthen the development of the sector, which according to ACE receives very little support from the industry despite being one of the most popular artforms in the country and a “significant” contributor to the UK economy.

The £188,860 grant was awarded to Perfect Pitch Musicals, a musical theatre organisation that works to develop writers and their work. It also presents performance showcases.

ACE, London executive director Moira Sinclair said she hopes that investment will help emerging talent thrive.

She commented: “Traditionally musical theatre is considered to be a commercially sustainable artform which doesn’t require public subsidy.

“However, there is a definite need for investment in the developmental infrastructure which will help support the next generation of musical theatre practitioners in this country.”

Andy Barnes, executive producer at Perfect Pitch, explained he set up the company in 2006 as a one-off showcase.

He said: “I was struggling to find something contemporary, new and relevant as well as something developed enough to put on stage.

“Perfect Pitch has by necessity expanded into a network for developing new musicals and annually showcasing them in the West End.”

Dougal Irvine’s Departure Lounge, which received the Musical Theatre Matters award for best music last year, was featured in the first Perfect Pitch showcase and picked up by three commercial producers.