Musical Theatre Venue Announces 40 Exciting Masterclasses

The Festival’s first and only dedicated venue for Musical Theatre have announced an exciting programme of masterclasses aimed at Fringe addicts.

Musical Theatre @ George Square will present 40 events led by industry experts to prepare performers for careers beyond Edinburgh. The event’s leaders include Olivier Award-winning composer George Stiles (Mary Poppins, Honk) and top West End producer Richard Jordan (Falstaff, Dumb Show).

For the second year the programme includes a wealth of speakers who will look at every aspect of Musical Theatre: producing, promoting, training and development. With two classes a day, the programme covers four main areas and will inspire and inform, providing a valuable insight into theatre professions:

Writers in conversation including:

  •  Iain Finlay Macleod (St Kilda, Edinburgh International Festival), who will talk about writing his opera showing over the festival period.
  • George Stiles (Honk, Mary Poppins, Just So), talking about writing new musicals and how to survive the process.
  • Conor Mitchell (Mathilde, Goblin Market, Have A Nice Life) talks about his inspiration for writing from a composer’s point of view.

The Craft of Musical Theatre including:

  • Jenifer Toksvig (Lyricist and Bookwriter) on the art of collaboration where every participant will get to work with Play-doh.
  • Mary Stewart David (Lyricist and Book Doctor) one of the most respected teachers of lyric writing
  • Tim Saward (Programme Co-ordinator, Mercury Musical Developments) on how to succeed in business as a writer.

Practical Discussions including:

  • Annemarie Lewis Thomas (Principal, Musical Theatre Academy) on preparing for drama school
  • Louise Grainger (Equity) on the role of Equity and how not to break a leg
  • Neil Laidlaw (Producer) on surviving as a commercial producer
  • Joanne Benjamin (Producer) on producing in the West End.

Getting New Work on in the UK is explored in a series of sessions including:

  • Andy Barnes (Producer, Perfect Pitch Musicals) looking at the Arts Council funded Perfect Pitch network
  • Richard Jordan (Producer) looking at the work of MTM:UK and his own world of international production
  • David Waters (Managing Director, Stagescripts) looking at publishing and licensing new work.
  • Joanna Drake, Head of the European Union in Malta, will running a masterclass on the EU, while visiting the production of Porn! The Musical which has arrived in town direct from Malta’s capital Valetta.

To download a full list of masterclasses, please click here.

Tickets are available at £6 (£4 concessions).

Book online at www.festivals.ed.ac.uk or call 0131 651 1292.


06/08/2009